by Kris Handel
I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear This... is the sophomore album from Sarah Beth Tomberlin who burst onto the scene a few years back with one of the most haunting and sadly beautiful records with her debut At Weddings. In the years following, Tomberlin has expanded her accompaniment with strings and a rhythm section on this record to reach a new intensity that was not as present on previous recordings. She writes some of the most heart-rendering and emotionally vulnerable lyrics, her words imparted with a hushed tenderness and an underlying strength and determination. Tomberlin’s songwriting reaches new heights in this collection of songs with strengthened emotional impact and a fuller expression of facing the highs and lows life throws at us all.
“Easy” starts the record off with a bellow of woodwinds, sparse piano provided by Felix Walworth (Told Slant), a slow yet steady kick drum, and soft shuffling percussion laying the groundwork. Tomberlin’s lyrics work through the end of a relationship and living up to expectations internal and external. The hushed backing reinforces the hurt as well as hopeful strength to truly search for personal happiness instead of sacrificing for the needs of others to the detriment of oneself and progress. “Tap” shows off the beauty that Tomberlin songs can reach over quiet repeating guitar rolls, skittering jazzy bass rumbles, and piano interjections as her vocals swoop and twirl weaving everything together. The lyrics are at their strongest here with an appreciation of the beauty of nature and the elements combined with the disconnect that online connection can have on perception and what is “real”.
“Unsaid” touches on the difficulty of relocation in search of new experiences and throwing oneself into an unfamiliar environment, leaving a sense of familiarity behind in search of finding one's own way for future endeavors. There is a quiet intensity and intimacy on display with bubbling synths and slowly picked guitar. The piercing lyrics burn with emotion and a sense of regret on lines like “Cuz if I don’t call you up/Then I don’t have to feel down/and if I don’t/Say I miss you/Then you’ll never have to be around/If I don’t say I love you/Then you don’t have to love me/See how simple/The unsaid....” before fading out to a surge of bleating woodwinds. “Happy Accident” carries a frolicking melody that has Tomberlin asserting strength amidst bouncing guitar lines and insistent drumming urging the echoing vocals along with shifting tempos. Everything here is roiling with frustration, passion, and determination, making for an enthralling drive that refuses to move from its course.
At Weddings carried a sparse hymnal sweep to it that was drenched in reflection as well as a bit of resignation that was truly haunting, here Tomberlin finds a bit of a more assured footing and approach that still carries so much warmth. There is still a sense of unease at the heart of these songs and some of the dirtier parts of the arrangements, but everything has a bit of lilt and a stronger sense of light. Although the path in these songs may not always be smooth, lessons are imparted and taken away and the beauty and appreciation of all these moments is as readily apparent. This is a record of growth and searching in every conceivable way and Tomberlin’s willingness to ebb and flow along shows the ability to rise above every challenge or doubt expressed, unfolding in an album that brings reward after reward with every listen.