Kimberley Rew - Essex Hideaway

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 16 / 1 / 2005

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Kimberley Rew is a major songwriter. He wrote the Bangles 'Going Down to Liverpool' and that's just the start. He was Robyn Hitchcock's second in command in the Soft Boys and the main writer in Katrina and the Waves. 'Essex Hideaway' is his fourth solo album and kicks off with 'Bless This Album', which sounds like a hymn and even features a church organ. 'Phoenixstowe' follows and recalls Swinging Beat London in the 60's. The vocals sound like Robyn's and the backing beat of organ and drum perfectly assist the lead guitar groove which recollects that of George Harrison in its style. 'Short Smart Haircut' is a cheeky little piece sung in a cockney style. 'Jerome K Jerome' sounds something like Oasis' 'Shakamaker' and has you bopping around in no time whatsoever. 'Tourists of Insanity' sounds very retro in a Rutles-type groovey manner, while 'Arterial Road' recalls Billy Bragg and Kirsty MacColl with its clever, but basic and well thought out guitar work. The autobiographical 'That's Soft Boy' is a sing-a-long Chas and Dave number. The intelligent 'The Ballad of the Lone Guitarist' has a great groove that drives the track forward, but sadly becomes over long and ends sounding a little too much like heavy metal. "Your Mother Used to Live in That House' is a narrative track. , delivered with a Byrds like jangle. 'Essex Hideaway' is slow, and thoughtful. 'Even Shorter Hair Cut' is sung in a cockney accent and ends the album as it begun with the sound of a church organ. A damned fine piece of work !

Track Listing:-

1 Bless This Album
2 Phoenixstowe
3 Short Smart Haircut
4 Jerome K Jerome
5 Tourists Of Insanity
6 Arterial Road
7 That's Soft Boy
8 Ballad Of The Lone Guitarist
9 Your Mother Was Born In That House
10 Essex Hideaway
11 Even Shorter Haircut
12 Epilogue

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