I have chosen "Middle Ground" by Bernie Chiaravalle as my Album of the Year for 2025. As one of my favorite artists and songwriters, it's hard for me to overlook anything that Bernie creates. "Middle Ground" resonates deeply with the times we are living in and is highly relevant to our everyday lives. The title track, "Middle Ground," encapsulates the main message, while "A Loss For Words" evokes strong emotions and brings a tear to my eye. Each track carries its own emotion through Bernie's writing while continuing to showcase the musicianship and craft that he has honed over the years.
Bernie Chiaravalle has shared that he was inspired to write several songs over the past few years due to the events unfolding in our country. He selected these eight songs because they align with his feelings about the growing division in society, which social media and cable news have amplified. His hope is that listeners will find comfort in the music and remember that "You're Not Alone."
The album was produced and mixed by Bernie Chiaravalle, who contributed vocals, guitars, bass, ukulele, drums, and keyboards. Peter Penhallow added a Farfisa organ on the track "These Days (Anything Goes)."
Happy Holidays,
– Kim Reilly
— with SeaSide Music Management.
