Reviewed by James Lidgett

To take the time to listen to this album is to take the time to become totally spellbound by it. Where there are albums in your life that you play and listen to without ever really affecting you, this is an album that truly takes over and plays you, with a soulful, intimate sound of longing and despair that many bands of the moment could only aspire to. The singer has a powerful emotive voice that is effecting on both his own compositions and on cover versions from sources as diverse as Andrew Lloyd-Webber, The Velvet Underground, U2 and, on the classic song which gives the album its title, Steve Taylor. With an eclectic mix of deeply relaxing, atmospheric backings and more raucous accompaniments, it is clear that Calamateur, otherwise known as Andrew Howie, is a very special talent and it is little wonder that his music is turning heads in the industry. This is a collection of powerfully honest songs that will compel you to wake up and take stock. Highlight tracks are "I Can Hear Her Breathing", "Talitha K", "Wake Up Dead Man" and the haunting title track.

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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