published: 2 /
10 /
2010
Label:
Heavenly Recordings
Format: CD
Fantastic new album from Edywn Collins, his second since his two strokes, which includes guest appearances from the Cribs' Ryan Jarman, Johnny Marr, Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos and Romeo Stodart from the Magic Numbers
Review
Edwyn Collins is one of the most influential figures in indie pop. If it wasn't for him or Postcard Records, then we would have never had Creation Records.
'Losing Sleep' is a solid record all the way through. Even two life-threatening and dehabiliting strokes in 2005 have not stopped him from producing such a great piece of work as this. It has been recorded with several musicians of similarly huge talent.
It opens with the title track, 'Losing Sleep', which has also been released as a seven inch single. It is a big pop number about a dark subject, a song about remembering your past and what you and me take for granted until life takes it away from you.
'What is My Role', a song about being up then down and wondering what the future holds, is sung as a duet with Ryan Jarman of the Cribs. It also features a fantastic guitar solo from Smiths axe man, Johnny Marr.
'Do It Again' is another duet, this time sung with Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand. It starts off as a 70's funk number, but soon develops a cool 60's vibe.
'Humble' also has a 60's influence. It sounds like a Crosby, Stills and Nash number and is a head nodder from its first notes to its very last.
'Come Tomorrow, Come Today' sounds very fresh and very modern. Imagine if Orange Juice started today, this is the sort of stuff they would be doing. It is perfect Scottish pop with perfect guitar work too.
'Bored' is as edgy as early Franz Ferdinand, but musically it recalls the Rolling Stones. 'In Your Eyes', upon which Edwyn is joined on vocals by Jonathan Pierce from the Drums, is a fast and big-sounding anthem.
'I Still Believe in You' starts off sounding like the Sex Pistols, before becoming more mellow as it progresses.
'Over the Hill' is a reflective number, well told and well performed and with a strong 80's vibe. 'It Dawns on Me' is a happy trip of a number, which is sung with Romeo Stodart of the Magic Numbers.
The final two tracks, 'All My Day' and 'Searching for the Truth' are slow and acoustic based, both reflective and graceful and close what is a contender for the album of the year really.
Track Listing:-
1
Losing Sleep
2
What Is My Role?
3
Do It Again
4
Humble
5
Come Tomorrow, Come Today
6
Bored
7
In Your Eyes
8
I Still Believe in You
9
Over the Hill
10
It Dawns on Me
11
All My Days
12
Searching for the Truth
Label Links:-
http://www.heavenlyrecordings.com/
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