ME & VAN GOGH: Rick Berlin (rickberlin.com) 2006.

The album has 12 tracks, all written by Berlin. Total time is just over 38 minutes. Sound and production quality are first-rate. On this project, Berlin presents 12 of his poems set to music. He accompanies himself very well on piano. There is no other instrumental accompaniment. Berlin does a good job, both vocally and instrumentally, of reflecting the emotional moods of the lyrics He opens with the title track and seems to give the listener an idea of what's to come with: "Me n Van Gogh we cover the terrain the colors r insane …" The next 11 cuts are a poetic reflection of Berlin's take on a variety of "terrains." Berlin's work is heavy with symbolism and similes, and as such, is subject to wide interpretation. This review visits some of the songs that seem straightforward. "Criminal" is about many men's age-old fear to approach a "criminally" beautiful woman.  It closes with the lament: "Take you home in my mind. Make up yr story write every line. We'd get along great. Nobody hurt. You never get ugly, I'm never a jerk." In "The Slut," Berlin makes social commentary, to wit: "I am a slut, I'm a ho & all ya gotta do is want me. … I'm a priest, I'm a politician, I'm a rock star …" "Party Dress" symbolizes a love lost to the party lights and fast lifestyle. In "A Letter," a man writes from prison, "I am so ashamed of the last year of my life, the money, the drugs, & the sleeze … I want another chance so bad ... I think I'd rather sleep in the Common then be locked up in here. I don't mean to be such a baby boy." "Beerbelly" is about a "good ol' boy," that says, "Anything pretty after 18 beers... C'mere baby. Got a beer belly. Wanna touch it? Ain't gonna change. Don't want to." Berlin looks at the kids into the hard-core rock club scene in "R+R Romance," to wit: "Stayin high & hug & kissin'. Dancin like a jungle Queen … Girl on piano. Gin on the drums. Drugs in the bathroom & a boy on the run. It's just a rock n roll romance." In its style, this is strong album and is highly recommended.    (Jim Shortt/The Scene)