Future Clouds And Radar - Big Weather

 

Fantastic album though it is, almost three decades on, every Robert Harrison review since has to mention it. He must get a little fed up of it. Kontiki hit a perfect spot of Brit Pop height and the again growing following of Psych Pop.

But Cotton Mather had released great albums before it and albums after it have been every bit as great. Indeed, 2001's The Big Picture is a storming album and contains one of my favourite songs ever in 40 Watt Solution when that Psych Pop twin Guitar attack of Harrison and Whit Williams continued to be such a force. 

Future Clouds And Radar was a bit of a reaction to move away from the traditional four piece format, but just as interesting. As it has been 16 years since the last album, it is really interesting to hear the new take, although Harrison is never involved in anything that isn't incredibly interesting. 

Indeed, contained within, is a song that would grace any Cotton Mather album. The Man Who Would Be King is magnificent, a cross between Brit Pop and Psych Pop again with an absolute blast of Guitar Heaven. One of the best songs of 2025.

Chicken Out underlines the fact that when Harrison treads into Power Pop, there are few better. A lot in common with the new breed of youngsters, but something unmistakably Not Lame, with more absolute killer Guitar.

Yet Cabbage Town has a real Americana feel and a hypnotic twang and Brass Tacks is more funky, a little 80s, a little New Wave with a driving bassline.  The Hype moves at pace with a more Classic Rock feel to the Psych Pop. 

Going To Meet The Big Man has a wonderful arrangement surrounding a more Acoustic feel. It build and builds, great Singer Songwriter territory. That leaves the closer, The Copy Cat and what a song. Psych Pop of the highest order with a comforting Twang, loser than what's gone before, but hypnotic and an absolutely jaw dropping Guitar solo. 

Harrison remains as lyrically adept as ever. My one observation, is that the 7 songs feel more Cotton Mather than Future Clouds And Radar. But I will always take either. 34 years on from that Cotton Mather debut, the man is as essential as he ever has been. Absolutely Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can order the Vinyl here.

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