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Jim Noir: A Quiet Man EP review

The EP strikes again and Jim Noir has released five songs to showcase his talent to the world. Noir's sound is a whisper on a breeze; confusion wrapped in lyrics and sodden by a rushing tide of loneliness. Water- or at least its echo- presents a performance of its own in the tracks 'Turbulent Weather' and 'Climb A Tree', the liquid telling tales of the ethos behind Noir's music. The guitar and an eclectic mix of soft, delicate instruments push the music of the Pied Piper along. The listener is captivated in an instant by vocals that float away on the conscience. 'I'm Me You I'm Your' is the cat call of the Elmer Fudd of the romantic generation, the lover's stutter as he tries to explain precisely how he feels. 'Turbulent Weather' has the feel of a Crowded House track that makes it all the more appealing to those who yearn for a return to skilful song writing and a core of understanding and empathy fixed within lyrics. The slow, deliberate break of thunder at the end of the track is added spice to person who equates music with relaxation. Mellowness has never been more attractive.

Noir's musical musings have already featured as part of the soundtrack to the Channel 4 series 'Sugar Rush' and the whippersnapper was born in 1982 and apparently fooled by a stranger who promised that the princely sum of fifty pounds could buy him fame and fortune. Noir handed over the money and paid the price, the stranger scampering into the distance like a rodent disturbed by a creature of larger girth. There's something of the comic opera about this short introduction into Noirs talent and the release of an EP may well be a counter productive move. It's an album, a single or a download or a combination of all three. Rarely do the public accept being shortchanged simply because there wasn't time to put together ten songs or more onto a CD.

The madness of the Cuckoo Clock on the cover of this EP is echoed within and fans of Noir will lap this recording up like a cat would devour a bowl of cream. Yet, one remains unconvinced that the softly-softly approach to marketing in the music business would pay off. Making an impact is the way to go. From that, you can build. Spend too long on the foundations and the rain will make you wish you’d paid more attention to the roof.