Maybe Next Year
First solo album from Mr.Charming bassist Lewis Denby. Produced in its entirety as a solo project this an acoustic affair that would probably benefit from the artistic input of a full band, the tunes are decent but there aren't really any outstanding ones.
Still, there's quite an up beat to start with 'Guidelines and restrictions', the vocals are quite good in the verse but tail off and don't have enough power in the chorus.
The production is 'home produced', a couple of buzzes from guitar strings and bumps on the mic. After a while the inconsistency in the levels, particularly on the vocals begins to get annoying. I'm assuming the drums are done by machine, either that or someone needs to invest in a new set of cymbals! In the main though they support the guitar adequately and you don't notice that much.
It's not bad but then it's nothing special either, Denby doesn't claim it to be though, acknowledges he's not a fantastic guitarist and has written within his limitations. Can't fault his honesty and with that taken into account it's a pretty decent offering.
'Broken Pieces' is better, better tune with some much needed effects, even if it is only a little reverb on the vocals it makes all the difference.
'The Calendar' is a mediocre melancholy affair that retains the reverb on the vocal but it sounds out of place in the louder moments and dare I say the vocals sound just a tad out of tune.
'Bicycles and Plastic Balls' is a promising song with a decent dual harmony chorus that only loses it a little at the end.
'1997' is a nice tune, slightly suspect lyrics but it moves along quite well and is one of the better songs.
'A Night's Revelation' is another good tune, this is simple but effective and whilst the chorus is ok it still doesn't have that killer chord change that would really set it apart.
'Seven Years' was on whilst I was writing this and didn't do enough to distract me. This is really where this album is at, if you have it on in the background it doesn't do enough to grab your attention and although I've already mentioned it, the production does let it down.
'River Girl' attempts to play with some intricate time signatures in places but just sounds wrong, having said that the main part of the song is pretty good and is probably the candidate for a single.
The album finishes up with 'Next Year', now this has something about it, again it's simple but effective and yet another horrible string buzz aside it's impressive.
Oh hang on, there appears to be a 'secret track', more of the same really but yet again it's rough in the mix, especially in the louder moments and when all's said and done that spoils it.
Check out his website www.lewisdenby.com , he's doing a tour. Of fields. Mind you he's only got one so far. Which is strange considering there's so many of them out there, but then it is lambing season so they're probably booked. It's all about timing!
In summary, shows promise but there's room for improvement.