Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

This album does just about everything right. First impressions were excellent - attractive cover art, a well designed and legible lyrics sheet and a catchy album title, which refers to Clothier's use of the ukulele. But this is a million miles from George Formby and Tiny Tim country - no quaint little ditties here. From the first song, "Guardian Angel", this CD by a West London singer/songwriter grabs the attention and never lets go. Throughout the album the vocals are clear and confident, the choruses infectiously melodic, the instrumental accompaniment perfectly complementary. Where they are used, vocal harmonies are top notch. Almost any track could be a hit single, but this is no plastic commercial pop. Best single choice might be "Playing For America", which indeed might go down quite well Stateside. Most songs are about adult romantic relationships, often relationships in difficulties. From the opening track: "I could never cross that bridge to reach your heart"; from "Over And Done": "A shattered image of you I compare/with sweeter moments that are no longer there"; from "Just Saying": "all of my shortcomings mean we can't carry on". Even in the bouncy "My One" there's a down side: "I'll know that as I slip away you could have been my one". However, none of this is sentimental, or self-pitying - the fine melodies lift the mood. A strikingly self-assured début.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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