Colin Devlin - High Point

  by John Clarkson

published: 24 / 12 / 2018

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Colin Devlin could never be accused of being over prolific. He has released just six albums during his career which extends back nearly thirty years, four with his former band the Devlins and two as a solo artist. 'High Point', the latest of these, is his first release in nine years, and follows on from his 2009 debut solo album, 'Democracy of One'. It has a lush minimalism, lush in that its music is often lavish, minimal at the same time in that it has an uncluttered sound, with every instrument having a purpose. If there is a fault to 'High Point', it is that it comes across sometimes as one-dimensional. Each of its eleven songs finds Devlin either in or out of love, and much of the music, which predominantly involves guitars, synths and drum programming, tends to blend into together. It, however, never sounds anything less than beautiful. Devlin's voice has an earthiness that instantly draws its listener in, and his lyrics are imaginative enough in their take on love to make them instantly compelling. 'Just a Fire' finds Devlin uncertainly trying to work out whether his passionate latest romance is just a temporary distraction or something more serious ("Tell me it's just a fire that is going to burn out anyway"). 'Nostalgia' captures the dilemma of two ex-lovers who have briefly got back together but know that they will only end up hurting each other again if they stay together ("I want you but I don't want you back/Nostalgia got a hold on me/Nostalgia got a hold on you"), while the final track 'Lost in the Silence' reflects on the memories that are left in the aftermath when an affair is over ("The view from your window/Dancing in circles/The rhythm of your breath with mine/I think about it all the time"). 'High Point' is a work of exquisite and sublime quality.

Track Listing:-

1 High Point
2 Just a Fire
3 Highwire
4 Promised Land
5 This Is Where We Are
6 Nostalgia
7 Water
8 Shine On
9 Exosphere
10 A Dream Worth Living
11 Lost in the Silence

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