Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Some of my all time favourite records are by not very good musicians where in one glorious flash of inspiration (call it luck or grace, depending on your theology) unexpectedly produce something brilliant. The opener here, "Standing On The Edge Of Something Big", is close, so frustratingly close, to being brilliant. It's driven by Paul Wilkinson's synth banjo (no, really) and with some memorable images ("When my plans fell on the floor/Like those Lego bricks when I was five") intoned by their writer Philip Aldis in a minimalist voice that can just, only just, hold a tune. If only the studio time could have allowed a meatier crack when the band come in. If only a little bit more work could have been done to sort out some of the clumsy scanning. But ifs still an impossible-to-forget opener. After such a near-brilliant first track things go quickly downhill. The band sound lumpen and under-rehearsed on the "Lord Is My Light", there are some painful bum notes on "Food Mixer Blues" and by the close most impartial listeners would be keen to advise Mr Aldis to bring a better vocalist into Fruit-Tree do justice to his intriguing acoustic-driven songs. So all in all, 'Kistwashtigadget' is close, but no cigar. But if I ever get the chance, I'd like to go back into the studio with the guys, iron out the rough bits to "Standing On The Edge Of Something Big" (a prophetic title) and help it become the classic it so nearly is.

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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