Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Take an impassioned singer/songwriter with a delivery that is pitched somewhere between Leonard Cohen and Brian Ferry (Eh? Ed.) Select the best of his songs which artfully expose the pained perceptions of a fallen world and put the singer with an exemplary producer, the late, great Mark Heard. The result is a fine album though not one that reveals its treasures easily, the limitations of Mr Austin's voice cannot always be masked by Mark's dextrous use of girl choruses and weaving acoustics. But this guy has plenty to say, his songs are literate without being pretentious and I think we'll be hearing more of this powerful communicator.

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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