Dave Derby - And The Norfolk Downs (Reveal)
2/5
This album is the perfect dinner party composition, one where unhurried lyrics call out tuneful heartbreaks and inoffensive stories with intricate symbols and predictable punch lines. Primitive and secure if perhaps deficient of edge and at times mildly over confident - you are by no means disappointed by the lullabies and polite pretty lyrics on Dave Derby's second solo album. That said, this conventional undemanding acoustic pop is maybe too carefully constructed and on occasion sounds prompted, over structured and over planned.
Slow, ambient and easy, 'And The Norfolk Downs' seems to lack a little passion. The 11 consistently 'pleasant' tracks sound like memories of feelings as opposed to the emotions themselves. I would like to compare it to Pete Yorn's tremendous 'MusicForTheMorningAfter' as there are similarities; however it has neither the raw drive nor bitter integrity that made that album so spectacular and would be like comparing sentimental footage of a past relationship, with Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry's masterpiece 'The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.'
Basic, uncomplicated, well crafted and easy to listen to, if a little dull and predictable, 'And The Norfolk Downs' is distinctively utilitarian. It is exactly what one would expect from a CD found in the 'easy listening' section of MVC, measured and musically self assured, his melodic uncomplicated guitar sings amiably over assertive but not particularly unique vocals.
Stream four tracks from 'Dave Berry and the Norfolk Downs' HERE.
Artists in this article: Dave Derby
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