Before I sat down to write this review I wondered what I had said when I reviewed his last album, ‘Roads’, so I checked it out and I gave a small smile when I saw I had said, “The result is something over which I am quite conflicted as while I enjoy the songs, especially the vocal performance and the words, there are parts within the arrangement which I have trouble with.” Sad to say that is exactly the same this time, as there is no doubt that that within this there is a truly great album waiting to burst out as the songs, melodies, lyrics and vocals are enthralling, yet the arrangements are very much those of a solo musician who not only performed everything but also produced, recorded, mixed and mastered it while also providing the design and graphics and even the photos. Someone with that much skill needs to be commended as I know I am incapable of doing it, and even struggle with words (let along song lyrics), but for him to truly reach his potential he needs to bring in some outside assistance.
In some ways he reminds me of an old folkie from the Sixties, while at others I think of Roy Harper, yet the accompaniments of simple keyboards, guitar, bass and drums just do not provide the gravitas which his words and music deserve. I really enjoyed this album, honest, but there was also a great deal within it which I felt could be so much better if he had worked with some of the other wonderful musicians on the MRR label. The songs are powerful, the vocals packed with emotion and dynamics, the lyrics hard hitting and relevant, but they just do not get the cut through it all deserves. He mixes pop and rock with folk and creates something which is absolutely fascinating, but I do wish he would take a slightly different direction. 7/10
Review by Kev Rowland
