Justin Currie and a new masterpiece
Posted by: Jonathan Gorse on 15 October 2007
Ladies and gents,
It's not often that an album comes along that exceeds my expectations and is genuinely deserving of the description 'masterpiece' but the new Justin Currie album 'What is Love For?' is one that assuredly does.
If you love reflective acoustic rock written by probably the greatest songwriter and lyricist to emerge from Scotland then like me you will probably fall for the charms of this beautiful record. Its songs are a wonderfully introspective analysis for world weary middle age in all its cynical despair. This certainly isn't an album to listen to when you're in the first flush of romance but it is deserving of careful listening if you have served your time and bear the scars from stale or past relationships.
Few artists have the lyrical capacity and wordsmith power of Currie, his ability to write creative, original and insightful poetry shines as brightly as ever:
'Take everything, take what you see, the vitamins the drawing pins the covers you've been lying in to me'.
'But if I ever loved you shouldn't I be crying
Shouldn't I be cracking up
And drinking all the time?
Yeah, if I ever loved you how come I feel alright
How come the nights are so easy
And the mornings look so bright?'
Perhaps his finest lyrical statement however comes in the closing track 'No, surrender':
Car caressing managers choking up the avenues, brain dead patriots standing in salute
Paperwork raining again and again so that billionaires can claim there's an enemy to shoot
Pill pushers, doorsteppers, personal goal shoppers, lifestyle trendsetters, meditating mindbenders,
Puerile propaganda plugs up the TV, keep folk following the money so they'll never be free
Keep them swallowing the swill, the celebrities, the paedophiles, the immigrants invading from the camp over the hill.'
It's a powerful protest song for a generation who perhaps have forgotten how to protest...
Musically this is an album rich in acoustic instruments - strings - even a harp, saxaphone, piano, organ as well as acoustic and electric guitars and drums. The playing is highly expressive ande it's very nicely produced and more akin to Del Amitri's earlier work than their later albums. Overall the sound is less rock orientated and yet retains the higly melodic quality of Curries classic compositions. If youn love melody you willm love this.
It is wonderful to hear fresh material from such a rare and special talent. It's clear that this record represents a very personal statement and since buying the album I haven't played anything else! After the difficulty he had making the record and even getting a recording contract I think it deserves a far wider audience than it will no doubt get.
This is destined to be my record of the year, indeed it may end up being my record of the decade.
Unreservedly recommended,
Jonathan
PS free-play at http://www.myspace.com/justincurrie
It's not often that an album comes along that exceeds my expectations and is genuinely deserving of the description 'masterpiece' but the new Justin Currie album 'What is Love For?' is one that assuredly does.
If you love reflective acoustic rock written by probably the greatest songwriter and lyricist to emerge from Scotland then like me you will probably fall for the charms of this beautiful record. Its songs are a wonderfully introspective analysis for world weary middle age in all its cynical despair. This certainly isn't an album to listen to when you're in the first flush of romance but it is deserving of careful listening if you have served your time and bear the scars from stale or past relationships.
Few artists have the lyrical capacity and wordsmith power of Currie, his ability to write creative, original and insightful poetry shines as brightly as ever:
'Take everything, take what you see, the vitamins the drawing pins the covers you've been lying in to me'.
'But if I ever loved you shouldn't I be crying
Shouldn't I be cracking up
And drinking all the time?
Yeah, if I ever loved you how come I feel alright
How come the nights are so easy
And the mornings look so bright?'
Perhaps his finest lyrical statement however comes in the closing track 'No, surrender':
Car caressing managers choking up the avenues, brain dead patriots standing in salute
Paperwork raining again and again so that billionaires can claim there's an enemy to shoot
Pill pushers, doorsteppers, personal goal shoppers, lifestyle trendsetters, meditating mindbenders,
Puerile propaganda plugs up the TV, keep folk following the money so they'll never be free
Keep them swallowing the swill, the celebrities, the paedophiles, the immigrants invading from the camp over the hill.'
It's a powerful protest song for a generation who perhaps have forgotten how to protest...
Musically this is an album rich in acoustic instruments - strings - even a harp, saxaphone, piano, organ as well as acoustic and electric guitars and drums. The playing is highly expressive ande it's very nicely produced and more akin to Del Amitri's earlier work than their later albums. Overall the sound is less rock orientated and yet retains the higly melodic quality of Curries classic compositions. If youn love melody you willm love this.
It is wonderful to hear fresh material from such a rare and special talent. It's clear that this record represents a very personal statement and since buying the album I haven't played anything else! After the difficulty he had making the record and even getting a recording contract I think it deserves a far wider audience than it will no doubt get.
This is destined to be my record of the year, indeed it may end up being my record of the decade.
Unreservedly recommended,
Jonathan
PS free-play at http://www.myspace.com/justincurrie