Highlights: Spin Bottle, Full Moon Rising, Hey Daydreamer
While I strongly believe
that Neil Halstead wrote his best tunes for Mojave 3, it’s still nice to hear from him. You know what to expect, you know what not to expect: this
really is like a tedious evening spent in good company. Cozy, understated but
strangely engaging folk-pop songs that may quietly pass you by without leaving
any particular impression (other than charm and loveliness, of course), but may
suddenly come off gorgeously pretty and affecting on a fifth listen.
Obviously, those who
know Halstead (from Slowdive, Mojave 3 or his previous solo releases) do of
course realise the importance of being patient. They will wait for that
all-important fifth/sixth/tenth listen. This time in particular. Palindrome Hunches is made in the same
sweet, lethargic mould as 2008’s Oh!
Mighty Engine, but this time the whole thing is even less immediate. Take
the dreamy, Nick Drake styled (having said that, it’s all very Nick Drake-like)
“Full Moon Rising”, which is not exactly the sort of song you would normally
associate with a first single. But it was and it is actually as catchy as you
will get here... Never mind: the song has a brilliant folk melody, beautiful
minimalist, Pink Moon-like piano and
some masterful violin to top it off. In the end, it’s all pop music. It’s just
that it’s extremely underplayed. But with time everything reveals itself as
perfectly meaty (well, almost) and well-written – just don’t try to grab these
tunes by the collar. Wait till they grab you, or you’ll have to stay away from
Neil Halstead altogether.
As ever, Palindrome Hunches is the irresistible,
but unassuming sound of gorgeous melancholia from a very talented songwriter.
You still sort of believe Neil can pen a killer three-minute pop song, but he
just chooses not to. Well, I’m okay with that, and see this as a classic high
6/low 7 situation.
7/10
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