Reviews for Geoff Berner

Geoff Berner is one of the greatest song writers I know of too date. He often comes off as a smart-ass and a cynic, but once you listen to his words and music, the sardonic tone and observant eye go hand in hand with the music that carries his stories. His storytelling is sharp and scathing, but balanced with sincerity, compassion and empathy.

After three years of winning fans the old fashioned way, troubadour Geoff Berner presents his first full-length CD named for a Winston Churchill phrase that may have provided some inspiration during tours through Canada, Scandinavia, England, Eastern Europe and beyond. We Shall Not justly captures the fruits of that labour. "We All Gotta Be a Prostitute Sometimes" is a Berner classic.

Is the accordion the instrument of anarchy?
Those who saw Geoff Berner's show in support of Kris Demeanor last Friday might think so.
Touring in the wake of his latest album We Shall Not Flag or Fail, We Shall Go On to the End, Berner performed two sets of politically charged, bawdy, surprisingly emotional songs that, according to Berner, can make a wooden Jesus wink.

Geoff Berner writes peculiar, witty, sometimes heartbreaking songs with way too much insight into human nature. When he sings them, he stands alone on stage, playing his accordion, Estella. The music is a unique mix of folk, punk and klezmer. The effect can be at times haunting, confrontational or just absurd. Sometimes all three at the same time.