Neville Clay - Pearshaped

  by Caleb Smith

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

---

Although singer songwriters often find themselves propping up images of hippy ideals and thick knit jumpers, this is not so much a folk album, but more an exercise in stripping things back to there to their purest form. There's no dilution of sentiment on this album. The arrangements are simple and paired down, using just one or two instruments, but the beauty and complexity of the melodies is beguiling. The space that this leaves isn't wasted. What lies between revels in a heady mix of humour and the deepest sadness. A certain amount of empathy is required to love this record, but most people wouldn't have to stretch themselves hard to find the love and hurt it requires. At times it's country and jazz tinged but the everyday surrealism and dry lyrics draw you away from tradition, sitting more comfortably alongside Damian Jurado, Joe Pernice, Kurt Wagner and even Elliot Smith. A record for those quiet moments of introspection...we all have them....honestly

Track Listing:-

1 Pearshaped
2 Staff Room
3 Be Gentle With Yourself
4 Your Dad Sells Lighters
5 Call Centre
6 The Shipping News
7 Serendipity
8 Scratchcard
9 Rollover 1 And 2
10 (All For The Love Of A) Music Journalist
11 The Face You Were Born With

Post A Comment

---

Comment

Name

your name

Location

ie London, UK

Submit

Check box to submit

Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson

Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart

Malcolm Carter
Marie Hazelwood
Mark Rowland
Nick Dent-Robinson
Nicky Crewe
Nige Nudds
Philamonjaro
Richard Lewis
Shirley Procter
Spencer Robertshaw
Steev Burgess
Steve Kinrade

Steve Miles
Tommy Gunnarsson
Zena Grieg