With his trademark raspy, warm voice in tow,
Cliff Eberhardt imparts
School for Love with what sounds like a newfound passion and understanding of life. It's no wonder, considering he survived the sickness and death of his mother along with a serious car accident that left him suffering from chronic pain. He credits his musical compatriot
Seth Farber and
Farber's vocalist wife, Liz Queler, with helping him through this dark phase and finishing the record. It's not that he necessarily came out the other end smiling at the beauty and peace awaiting him. Rather,
Eberhardt uses his work to pose some tough questions, search for the right answers, and offer his revelations on songs like "Love Slips Away" and "Will You Ever Love Again." He also sketches images of his journey, possibly as means to an end of closure, on "Memories of You," "Merry-Go-Sorry," and "Blessings." For a "dark phase" record,
School for Love has an awfully uplifting feel to its examinations of love and loss. That's a credit to the fine artistry and enduring spirit of
Eberhardt. For some reason, he tagged the traditional "Clementine" on as the closing track. It's a bit of a shocker as it sneaks up on the heels of the poignant ballad "Never Fall in Love." ~ Kelly McCartney