John Dunbar is never afraid to try different things. From The John Sally Ride to Elvis Eno over recent years, each album different to the last. This is the first album under his own name in 3 years with the alter egos taking precedent.
Dunbar's vocal lends itself to gentleness, it is a pleasant thing to behold and even when he rocks, that vocal never gets shouty. So, although a Piano / Keyboard Pop album may surprise some, particularly from such a fine guitarist, but it works really well and might easily have not.
These sort of albums, however good, tend to get compared to either the classic Pop Rock of the 70s, think John and Joel or have a slightly more modern slant, (well 90s), to Ben Folds and I'm not sure that actually benefits the artist. There is also a danger that the material becomes overblown with a tendency to raid the instrument pop or becomes a Jaunty Pop overload.
Dunbar avoids this problem completely. Yes there is Jaunty Pop, with that voice and his general back catalogue, you would expect such, but it is limited to the likes of the splendid closer. Isn't It Great? I Wonder If She Colours Her Hair Now
Go Down In Mystery engages the Organ for a more Classic Rock feel with hints of Modern Prog and When The Promises Turn Into Lies goes deeper into Prog, wonderfully so. Try To Hard Or Phone It In is even a bit of a Piano Stomp.
Dunbar's voice is as wonderful at is always is and if you told me that I would love an album without any guitar, I'd have baulked, but I love this. A wonderful mix of Jaunty Pop, Classic Rock and a little Prog is my cup of tea.
If you don't stand up and applaud The Days Are Long But The Years Fly Past, then you are not on my wavelength. Lyrically adept and as witty as ever, What A Difference Indifference Makes is wonderful, but I'd still like the Guitar return next time round.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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