Martin Carr - New Shapes Of Life - Tapete - Out Now
The demise of a pop star, mental health issues, personal identities, injustices and symbolism doesn't sound like the successful basis for creativity.
Or does it?
The former Boo Radleys singer chalked up a pretty decent album in 2014 but The Breaks didn't do it for its creator - Carr wanted more and after a fruitless period of writing for himself (and others), he surrounded his world with David Bowie soon after his death, not so much the man's great musical contributions but rather Bowie's persona and attitude to his art.
"Give me a reason to carry on.." pleads Carr on A Mess Of Everything, a lyric that reveals plenty about the man's state of mind at the time of recording this likeable album. Despite his state of flux after recording these eight tracks, Carr saw fit to pursue his ambition by getting the thing mixed and finished in time to start a new chapter.
And what a chapter.
Cop an earful of Damocles, Three Studies of the Male Back and the title-track and you'll wonder where this man has been all your life. Head to the socially-aware The Main Man and you'll be baying for his knighthood - it's a cracker. In fact, there's very little hint of Bowie's footprint on this album at all and New Shapes Of Life is very much an individual production. Actually, fuck that knighthood, just buy this album. 7.5/10
Or does it?
The former Boo Radleys singer chalked up a pretty decent album in 2014 but The Breaks didn't do it for its creator - Carr wanted more and after a fruitless period of writing for himself (and others), he surrounded his world with David Bowie soon after his death, not so much the man's great musical contributions but rather Bowie's persona and attitude to his art.
"Give me a reason to carry on.." pleads Carr on A Mess Of Everything, a lyric that reveals plenty about the man's state of mind at the time of recording this likeable album. Despite his state of flux after recording these eight tracks, Carr saw fit to pursue his ambition by getting the thing mixed and finished in time to start a new chapter.
And what a chapter.
Cop an earful of Damocles, Three Studies of the Male Back and the title-track and you'll wonder where this man has been all your life. Head to the socially-aware The Main Man and you'll be baying for his knighthood - it's a cracker. In fact, there's very little hint of Bowie's footprint on this album at all and New Shapes Of Life is very much an individual production. Actually, fuck that knighthood, just buy this album. 7.5/10