The Boy Who Trapped The Sun -‘Fireplace’ (Polydor)
Over the last few weeks, I have to confess that I have felt I have gone beyond saturation point with singer-songwriters. So, it’s a real pleasure to report that the debut album from the Isle of Lewis’ Colin Macleod is more than a cut above the average singer-songwriter.
Whilst there are very few singer-songwriters who push the innovation envelope -Tom Waits and Withered Hand being two notable examples -there is also still room for those who do singer-songwriting well. And the album’s title is particularly apt, it’s a warm place to be drawn to. There’s also variation here -the opening track ‘Golden’ is quite slow and beautiful but it makes way for the upbeat single ‘Katy.’
This album may take a while to unveil all its’ charms, and if the folky male singer-songwriter isn’t really your bag, it’s probably unlikely to change that. But tracks that have been released as singles like ‘Home’ and the current ‘Dreaming Like A Fool’ draw you in. If you’ve enjoyed works from King Creosote and Ed Harcourt then I think you’ll find something you’ll like here.
Very much worth investigating -and a nice soundtrack to a lazy day.
***1/2
Fireplace is out now on Polydor.
