Ginger Wildheart may generate a lot of headlines, the most recent being the self combustion of The Wildhearts, but there has never been any doubt that the man can write and perform a song. The Pessimist's Companion had a very limited release in 2019.
The album gets an all bells and whistles reissue via Little Steven's Wicked Cool. The track order is changed and five new songs added and it remains a splendid example of how Pop Rock can be the most joyous listen when it stops trying to be like everything else.
From the country jingle jangle of Detachment to the Sheer Moodiness of Barbed Wire & Roses. I'd never describe this as being like a Jeff Lynne album, the lyrics are much deeper, the material more varied and a country tinge at times. But at times the vocal does sound more than a little bit Jeffrey.
There are also some splendid piano runs throughout, almost Bruce Hornsby in feel. But the variet is splendid. There Is A House is like a seaside all join in affair and May The Restless Find Peace is a pedal steel led hymn.
It is, however, the big chorus songs that grab you most. The man knows his way around a chorus and the likes of Why Aye (Oh You) which is a bit Gilbert O'Sullivan, Lindisfarne even. prove this. I Love You So Much I'm Leaving is is so damn catchy.
There are two covers present, an inspired version of John Cooper Clarke's I Wanna Be Yours and inessential version of Tom Rush's No Regrets. But all in all, The Pessimist's Companion is a fantastic upbeat listen that deserves to be heard by a much wider audience.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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