Promising Norwegian pop rock
I've heard the chat about Robert Post, his debut single 'Got None' was Radio 2's record of the week. 'The Record Of The Year' was bandied about; I think I've heard that said about 6 times this year so far, but I was quite happy when his new album simply titled 'Robert Post' landed on my mat as I got to hear what all the fuss was about. I expected yet another singer songwriter wittering on about lost love, snow and hidden people, well he is from Norway, there's lot of that sort of stuff in those parts.
The opener 'There's One Thing' is a pleasant number, nicely orchestrated. 'Got None' is the second track on the album, and yes, it's pretty good, no, probably better than that. That's the trouble, the whole album is pretty good. It's quirky, like a slightly twisted and updated Kinks and full of hints of things I can't quite place, stuffed with the broken promises of brilliance. There's a certain wit and charm to the lad and unlike a lot of his contemporaries, he's quite cheerful - a nice change! He's a decent writer and a decent player. There are glimpses through the looking glass such as 'More and More' and 'Newborn' (my personal favourite) which almost deliver, like a horse that's got your mortgage riding on it, you're shouting "Go on my son" as it steams to the line, then it'll just slow down to a disappointing trot.
There are songs on the album that, I feel, would've made better singles. Maybe that's his plan; release those a bit later on, he's saving them so that Radio 2 types will still like him in the future without him having to do a new album. I can see that working.
There's just nothing that absolutely smacks you in the face. It ticks along nicely, but it's not anything that's so devastating that it's going to change the world. If he allows himself to let go a bit more, he'll be awesome. I'll look forward to the next album, after he's kept Radio 2 happy. Very good pop-rock and ballads, nice variation of styles and pace, worth a listen and definitely worth keeping an eye on in the future.