Reviewed by John Baugh

A CD from a West Midlands-based band that's a bit like a airliner circling styles before landing on a guitar-based pop not dissimilar to Lloyd Cole. First track, king of groovy soul, second track, kind of MOR, third track brooding indie-blues, fourth, big rock, and so it goes on. Then finally some sort of equilibrium is reached with a straight guitar-based sound, although even then we get the odd twist with stings added here and there. The CD is a product of a number of years with a number of collaborators built around a core of songwriter Mark Winter, lead guitarist Warwick Gastinger and bass player/producer Steve Elliot. Now I'm all in favour of variety what with it being the spice of life but maybe things have gone too far here. There may be some good songs here yet the ability to locate them is blurred by the ever changing musical moods. Perhaps this is a case where less would be more.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.