The maturity of runs with Lloyd Cole
He had decided that he should just be themselves. With his own songs. As a true folk singer. But as the songs took shape, missing good old Lloyd Cole the strong unity that characterizes a true rock’n’roll band and the album Broken Record has therefore been a little odd, but also a nice and pleasant combination.
There is a distinct folk influences in this archetypical singer-songwriter album, which most often appears with a much charm and an appealing and warm sound, but perhaps lacking a little of the sharpness and edge that could kill the small signs of grandmother-appeal that comes to mind.
“The Flip Side” is close to giving recalls Roy Orbison, and it also becomes a bit too pensioner club-ish for my taste “Oh Genevieve.” But Mr. Cole is of course also been in the vicinity of the 50, so it is perhaps not unnatural that ripeness is leaving its mark on the musical. The title track and “Writers Retreat!” Opens up the album nicely, but country-clones as “Westchester County Jail” I could be without.
In contrast, the presence and structure of “If I Were A Song” quite grand, and there will be some pace on the glories of “That’s Alright.” The classic folk song “Man Overboard” delivered with great conviction, as does “Rhinestones”. “Double Happiness” has learned a clearer twist with prominent electric guitars and a great melody that rounds the album of fine.
Lloyd Cole approaching the age at which one with a certain elegance and reverence may choose to call mature. It might help to make the word a little less edgy and sharp, and it is a choice that Mr Cole had obviously taken. However, it is a bit too cozy and toothless here and there, while there is still an excellent quality to find when Lloyd Cole is best.
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Publication: Diskant
Publication date: 26/09/10