Reviewed by Tony Cummings

For my money, the best debut atom of the year! A singer/ songwriter who possesses a voice which sounds like his vocal chords have been pickled in brine, a sense of the dynamic which makes him whoop and holler one second and slur and drawl in Lou Reed style surrealism the next. The opener is a full tit rocker with a Stones-style chorus while the lyrics are starkly confessional though eschewing the obvious (I particularly like "I crawled into your arms with a guilty smile"). By track two the acoustic folk rock sound which is Rick's true forte establishes itself. The Confessions are a sensational band, blending mandolins and bluesy harmonies with power chords and charged drumming. And if this isn't enough the lyrics bite deep. "I walked the road for many miles a burden on my back/ Past every trench man and every curve, rode every twisted track". Songs from the heart that exude new found joy poured into a world weary life. Don't let this album pass you by.