New Music Wednesday

I recently got a couple of new import CD's in the mail. They're both by Ian Broudie. One is his new "solo" album called Tales Told and the other is an EP called Smoke Rings which is a song of off of the aforementioned album (plus three other songs). If his name doesn't ring a bell, he's the singer from The Lightning Seeds. Now, if "The Lightning Seeds" doesn't ring a bell, they had a moderately successful song in the States called "Pure" back in 1989/1990. They also have a song called "Change" which can be heard during a montage scene in the movie, Clueless. They also did a cool version of The Turtles' "You Showed Me." In my opinion, he's one of the best songwriters currently working; and one of my top four all-time favorite songwriters from Liverpool. In reality, he is The Lightning Seeds in much the same way that Robert Smith is The Cure. So, what makes this a "solo" album, then? There were a couple players on the last couple 'Seeds records who were not present for this one. But mostly, I'd say it's the departure from the Lightning Seeds style. They have a sound that has been called "perfect pop." These songs are more introspective and mostly all acoustic. He has said he's been listening to other songwriters such as Nick Drake and Johnny Cash, and it shows. There's also a hidden instrumental track that sounds like it was straight from the Pet Sounds sessions.

While this record isn't bursting with little pop gems like a typical 'Seeds album, I like it for what it is. It's one of those records that reveals its charms slowly, and, as such, requires repeat listenings to fully enjoy it.