Land And Sea

構成数 : 1
合計収録時間 : 00:48:56
If someone were to tell you that there's this great new trio led by a piano-playing singer/songwriter, more than likely you'd think of yet another Coldplay or Keane clone, right? In most cases, you'd be correct, but fortunately, Muddyhead are not part of the "Sensitive Piano Playing Brit-Pop Brigade" of the mid-2000s. In fact, although the production is modern, the songs are timeless sketches of real life as seen through the eyes of leader Andy Steele. These are songs that could have been hits in the '60s, '70s, or any other time. There are hints of Elton John, Harry Nilsson, Paul McCartney, and Steely Dan in Steele's songwriting, but he remains very much his own man. Ably assisted by Gary Daly (China Crisis) on bass and Graham Chesters on drums, Steele handles the piano and guitar chores himself, tenderly ringing every bit of emotion out of each instrument without abusing them. Steele also handles most of the songwriting with a little help from Daly ("All Manner of Men") and Daly's China Crisis pal Eddie Lundon ("Blameless Life"). Amidst all the wondrous pop songs, Muddyhead transform folk eccentric Michael Hurley's "Automatic Slim and the Fatboys" into the pop song it always should have been. This album is full of fantastic pop gems like "She Moves Me," "Miracle Cure," and "Call Me" that seem to float and transform themselves in mid-air. Although very much an English pop album, there are still moments like "The Theatre List" and the title track that could easily fit into a folk or alt-country/Americana radio play list. Needless to say, this is a perfect debut. And yes, Steele is a sensitive singer/songwriter, but he and Muddyhead do not fit into any category very easily. ~ Steve Schnee