(Amphead)

Not that incredible… even if he really, really wants it to be.

This album is a mish-mash of styles, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. It has interesting little instrumental moments, like the basic keys and triangle combination of Twilight Waltz, and the vibraphone and cello on Tuesdays Off. The songs are tuneful and poppy, with little quirks spread throughout. But there’s just not enough here to make it a truly captivating release, and it all ends up sounding a little too overconfident. A fair amount of material here feels like it’s been done before. When singing the higher notes, Campbell Jones’ voice is vaguely reminiscent of Thom Yorke’s, only set to a more basic rock formula. The female backing vocals that he employs occasionally, such as on Twilight Waltz and Better, Then, end up sounding cliché and also, somehow out of place. It’s worth a passing listen, but as for Campbell Jones measuring up to “folks like Roxy Music, Neurosis, and Mark Lanegan,” as he himself has wished for, well… somehow I doubt it.

KATH POLLOCK

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*