It is often frustrating that for much of my I Don't Hear A Single life, I have trouble understanding why certain bands are not massive. If this was anytime between 1969 and 1976, you would have needed many trucks to deliver Soft Hearted Scientist to the eagerly awaiting Record Shops.
Of course, we live in different times, pennies for 100 song plays, but the physical has always been key for songwriter, vocalist and multi instrumentalist, Nathan Hall throughout his career. Here the Cardiff five piece keep a 16 track double album to 77 minutes to allow a release on a single CD.
The previous album, Waltz Of The Weekend, is a thing of beauty and featured in our Best 100 Albums Of 2023 and The Phantom Of Canton takes that baton and carries the follow up to a much wider canvas. The band are noted Psych Pop magicians, but they are much more than that.
Songs are beautifully arranged soundscapes, Hall's gentle vocal is surrounded by arrangements that are of the highest quality, offering depth and melody, at times pastoral. They are also capable of great Pop. Wonder Girl is a Toytown joy of a Pop song and Hello, Hello is pure Jangle.
The Psych is restrained and ventures into Prog never lose the plot. They are equally great at short songs as well as the extended. The Cloud Parade is jaunty 70s Pop Rock. The longer songs work well as always, The Canyon approaches 12 minutes and amongst the Prog is a delightful Piano Pop accompaniment.
There is a Pink Floyd feel the odd time. Song For My Sunflower is reminiscent of that band's megabucks 70s and the title track has a hint of Syd Barrett. Soft Hearted Scientists are a band that know what they are about, but constantly look for change, melody is always the key.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on CD and as a download.
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