CAROLYN EDWARDS
Carolyn Edwards (True Classical; CD)
This is a nice album. Lyrically, it's a typical singer-songwriter collection
of introspections and they work well. Musically, there's quite a range of styles. The first half of the 11
tracks comprise some of the lighter ballad type numbers. There's a nice meld of melancholy and reflection
in songs like 'Solace' and 'Lazy', and in one or two places there's a light touch of country inflection.
The opening track 'Lunacy' appears on Vol.9 of the recent International Pop Overthrow. The second
half of the album has a more substantial rhythm section (although that's not to
imply the first half is less by comparison). 'Shrink' is a lovely, wistful late '60s referenced number
you could quite easily imagine St Etienne covering. 'Secret Monster', like a number of these songs,
builds from a delicate base through a slow piano accompaniment into a more solid tempo with some
playful strings dancing around it towards the end. The restless wistfulness
of the earlier numbers is revisited in 'Leave This Alone' which is one of my favourites. Closing number,
'Beauty Wasted' is another of the slow builders but never takes too long to get where it's going.
Carolyn Edwards has a clear and pleasant voice and on many of her songs brings to mind singer / songwriters
like the early Catherine Howe. The album is co-produced (with Carolyn Edwards) and engineered by Rev-Ola label collaborator,
Steve Stanley and the soft pop guru's lightness of touch is evident throughout in the sound.
A very pleasant album for late night listening or curling up with on a rainy day perhaps.
www.carolynedwards.com
Paul Martin
THE RUBY SUNS
The Ruby Suns (Memphis Industries; CD)
Well sure, I'm not going to throw out my Beach Boys' pocket symphonies quite yet;
but New Zealand LA transplant Ryan McPhun and his new friends have created a delightfully gentle,
emotive sunshine pop effort, that whilst not quite as fun as Jim Noir gets closer to the Pet
Sounds/Smile feel. The babbling synths and twee indie feel may add a post-80s edge, but the close
harmonies, quirky psycho-babble and intelligent song structures could have quite easily sprang
from the same recording time as all those goodies by Wilson, Boettcher and The Zombies.
Another mark on the bedpost for inventive pop.
www.memphis-industries.com
www.lilchiefrecords.com
Jon 'Mojo' Mills
THE SYN
Syndestructible (Umbrello; CD)
Often projects of this nature suffer from a misconception of,
or mismatch between the legacy of the revived brand name and the new material then delivered.
The Syn of course, are well revered for their 1967 sides such as 'Flower Man', 'Grounded' and '14
Hour Technicolour Dream', British psych and art pop of a high order. Following on from the success
(mainly with American Yes fans) of the Original Syn collection of '60s recordings, the surviving
members of the band regrouped to put together the Syndestructible album.
Weather they should have used the The Syn as a name to do this is a moot point amongst psych fans
of musical their older material on the one hand and American Yes fans who had no idea Chris Squire had
a previous existence on the other. Any road up, this is a progressive set of songs which was presaged
by the inclusion of a new recording in similar ilk that opened disc two of the Original Syn set
('Illusion'). I found that to be a great deal more enjoyable than I had expected, not being much of a
prog fan. As such, I was optimistic about hearing Syndestructible. I am pleased to report that I
am not disappointed. This seven track set (which songs that vary between 0.51 seconds and 13.28 long)
is a very enjoyable listen. The two original members of The Syn involved, vocalist Steve Nardelli
and bassist/vocalist Chris Squire are ably accompanied by Jeremy and Paul Stacey and Gerald Johnson.
The music is the practice of craftsmanship from seasoned players who know what they are doing. High points
are the just under eight minute 'Some Time, Some Way' and the almost ten minute 'City of Dreams'.
It's prog with as much guitar as keys and it doesn't have a dated or even a revivalist sound, although I'm
not an specialist in this field. It has a good range of tempo changes and smooth moves between them.
Don't go buying it in the expectation of a revived 'Grounded' template, there's nowt like that on it,
but for progressive fans who enjoy a smoother groove, it should suit just right.
www.umbrellorecords.com
Paul Martin
THE THINGS
'Some Kind Of Kick' / 'I Want More' (Demo)
Good, fast, shouty punk 'n' roll with a farfisa thrown in for good measure.
Mosh pit madness should ensue. My promo came with a tiny button badge of the group, a nice
revivalist touch evoking a time when such baubles were standard extras with your pic sleeve 7".
High energy and frustration define both songs.
www.thethings.net
Paul Martin
