Welcome to Talking With Hands second album, ten years after the debut. and it is pleasing to report that Matt Smith has lost none of his pop sensibilities. If I Don't Hear A Single is known for anything, it is a love of intelligent Indie Pop Rock and New Public Domain will delight followers who concur with our taste.
Plastic In The Room is akin to Andy Partridge arranging a new Jellyfish song. Indeed the whole album has the feel of that Pop Rock explosion of the 90s. Michael Penn, Jason Falkner, Not Lame, The Sugarplastic et al would dominate the genre and this album is as good as any.
Axis Askew heads towards Andrew Gold, Axis Aligned is completely the opposite, a short instrumental piano piece, not a million miles away from Moby. Twilight Chatter treads into the great Pop Rock albums of the 70s, even gets a little McCartney at times.
The title track fairly races along 80s style like a Sci Fi soundtrack, like nothing else on show here and further demonstrates Smith's versatility. Yet, Born Amused is West Coast Harmonic Pop of the highest order. Catacombs is a splendid Psych Pop closer.
There are two covers, both very different. World Song is a 60s Bubblegum version of the Petula Clark song. Never My Love is The Association song and the Americana mixed with some great harmonies and a killer arrangement is awesome.
New Public Domain can move away from the Guitar without it ever seeming out of place. These sort of inventive joys used to be a regular event. Now artists that are still around tend to serve up what they think will keep hold of their fans. This is the type of album that should be treasured. Highly Recommended!
You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about Talking With Hands here.
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