LOADING...
Image via Unsplash.
Sounds like:
The Smiths,
Franz Ferdinand,
Joe Strummer
Why do we like this?
Edwyn Collins' new album has some of the angst that was steeped in his most famous song, "A Girl Like You," but it rides behind some pretty downer lyrics: "I'm losing sleep, I'm losing dignity, everything I own is right in front of me, and it's getting me down. I'm holding on, I'm insecure about my life, about my work..." and so on, song after song ("Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down, Sometimes I wonder what is my role?").
Some time has passed since "A Girl Like You," so maybe his life had some bumps? How about a pair of strokes, followed by lengthy rehab to correct the dysphasia, inability to speak? Yikes. It's no small wonder he's able to get back on stage, powering out his baritone voice.
The too-raw honesty develops into familiar, charmingly Scottish angst midway through the album. On "Come Tomorrow, Come Today," he has a bit of an optimistic breakthrough -- "that awkward sense of being alive." He writes like he knows the Gorgeous George days are over, and hey, it could be worse. A number of old and new friends support him on the record, adding the variety of big talents like Paul Cook (Sex Pistols), Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse), and engineer Seb Lewsley.
These are songs composed with great talent, and a number of memorable hooks; I just wish it wasn't ultimately so depressing. Hey, isn't pop supposed to be a bit fun and shallow?
Some time has passed since "A Girl Like You," so maybe his life had some bumps? How about a pair of strokes, followed by lengthy rehab to correct the dysphasia, inability to speak? Yikes. It's no small wonder he's able to get back on stage, powering out his baritone voice.
The too-raw honesty develops into familiar, charmingly Scottish angst midway through the album. On "Come Tomorrow, Come Today," he has a bit of an optimistic breakthrough -- "that awkward sense of being alive." He writes like he knows the Gorgeous George days are over, and hey, it could be worse. A number of old and new friends support him on the record, adding the variety of big talents like Paul Cook (Sex Pistols), Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse), and engineer Seb Lewsley.
These are songs composed with great talent, and a number of memorable hooks; I just wish it wasn't ultimately so depressing. Hey, isn't pop supposed to be a bit fun and shallow?
Streaming source:
http://soundcloud.com/heavenlyrecordings/hvnlp89-edwyn-collins
TOUR DATES
SIMILAR SONGS
Sounds like:
The National,
Arcade Fire,
Fleet Foxes,
Other Lives
Sounds like:
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy,
Lambchop,
The National
Sounds like:
Conor Oberst,
Alex Turner,
Bon Iver,
Bombay Bicycle Club,
The National
Sounds like:
Yukon Blonde,
Elliott Brood,
Aidan Knight
View more songs ↓