TD Lind - The Outskirts of Prosper

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 30 / 6 / 2011

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Review

This is the third album that UK born but L.A. based Lind has released, and it’s by far the strongest set of songs we’ve heard so far from this talented singer-songwriter. Much has happened during the three years since we last heard from Lind on his ‘Call Me Sinner’ album; Lind changed record labels, moved to L.A., married and became a father. While in parts of this album Lind displays just how much in love he is with his new position in life, there are songs here that show that living in L.A. certainly has its drawbacks. ‘The Outskirts of Prosper’ is an album that was born out of Lind’s experiences over the last few years. Most of these songs wouldn’t exist, in the form that they do on this album at least, if Lind hadn’t fallen in love, if he hadn’t made that move across the water and if he hadn’t become a father. In many ways there is a theme running through this collection of twelve songs so listening to the album as a whole is the best way to appreciate just how far Lind has come musically and personally. Lyrically Lind comes of age with the songs on ‘The Outskirts of Prosper’. The images Lind creates in your mind on the title track with his lyrics is just one of the attractions here. Vocally he hasn’t changed much over his three albums. There’s still that sweetness that shines through and makes you at once comfortable with Lind’s vocals (try ‘It’s Lovely’ for a prime example at just how attractive Lind’s vocals can be) but he hasn’t lost that hint of gruffness that creeps in now and again. ‘Fate Fell Asleep at The Wheel’, which is one of the most compelling songs on ‘The Outskirts of Prosper’, has not only one of Lind’s prettiest and most interesting melodies but also displays just how emotional and soulful his vocals can be. While by hoping from genre to genre Lind displays his talent for handling almost any musical style and therefore stops the album from being anything less than interesting even on the tracks that don’t work so well or might not be to your particular taste, it’s on the ballads where Lind really shines on this collection. And when he leaves behind the jazz and blues leanings he displays on the opener and single ‘Pushover Boy Blues’ and ‘Head Over Heels’ and delivers just straightforward pop/rock songs like ‘Black Dress’, Lind really is in a class of one. ‘Black Dress’, which must have been inspired by his wife, is breathtaking in it’s honesty and, with a melody that will have you singing along by the end of the song, it’s one of Lind’s best compositions to date. In fact for all the attention that ‘Goodnight From Hollywood’ is getting and rightly so as it’s a superb slice of bluesy balladry which features some stunning guitar work it’s the duo of songs which comprise ‘Black Dress’ and ‘Coming Home’ that potential buyers should listen to first. The latter song is one of those rare things; a song that you’d gladly hear booming from your radio ten times a day. Lind’s vocals grab you straight away, and for that reason alone a couple of radio plays on that song would boost his career no end. There’s a definite live feel to these songs, like they were recorded in one take in the studio. The band sound like they’re enjoying the sessions and, with Lind’s strongest collection of songs to date, ‘The Outskirts of Prosper’ proves that by making so many changes to his life and career Lind has spurred him on to reaching a career high. Lind has caught the attention of some famous names in the past and been compared to everyone it seems from J J Cale and Ry Cooder to Damien Rice and Mark Knopfler. While his past recordings might well have been influenced in part by some of those mentioned and, it has to be said, at times Lind’s influences still make slight, very slight appearances at times on these songs, ‘The Outskirts of Prosper’ is the first showing we have that Lind doesn’t need those comparisons anymore. What we have here is 100% TD Lind and that’s all we need right now. With a small, tight band that never once let Lind’s songs down and tasteful production by Alex Gibson this really is Lind’s best album to date.

Track Listing:-

1 Pushover Boy Blues
2 Black Dress
3 Coming Home
4 Head Over Heels
5 Goodnight From Hollywood
6 What Will Become
7 Outskirts Of Prosper
8 It's Lovely
9 Fate Fell Asleep At The Wheel
10 Last Train For Redemption
11 Sing To The Moon
12 Mercy