Good in the face of a stranger

I’m enjoying Alex Lloyd’s new and independently released album. Some have said it’s a return to his Black the Sun days. It’s older brother I read on his forum.

I particularly liked the space of the production, and the little things that are going on in the background. The opening ‘are you ready in the studio’ line, and the little intro where he walks into the pub full of people and starts playing over the top of talking pub drinkers. I was quite chuffed actually as my album has the same. Chuffed in that great minds think alike, not he ripped it from me obviously.

Many have said that Alex can be a little difficult. What a songwriter who is moody? Surely not? I guess then in a way this is almost an apology that yep he gets he is not always Guy Smiley. Hey at least it’s something to write about…better than writing about a f&*ken umbrella, or whatever tripe that the Veronica’s are singing about.

The thing that really threw me was this month’s Rolling Stone Magazine that said the first real track ‘Special’ was a dud. Each to their own of course, but I couldn’t disagree more. I actually thought it was one of the better tracks on the album. Slow Train is his single release, which is obviously another stand out given it’s the single. I actually don’t think there are many standout tracks on the album which is great. it’s one of those albums you can leave in your car for weeks and still enjoy. Yes kids, album…in car…start to finish…no skipping. Epic isn’t it.

As a side note, what’s with songwriters and trains? Jack Johnson, David Ford, etc etc. I caught one every day for 3 years in the UK and still couldn’t write anything about them. I probably did try ; )

Oh and then there is the fact that Alex has a black Cole Clark Fat Lady 3. Which as I said to him after a gig one time – ‘Great guitar. The guys at Cole Clark told me I was the first and only one to have one of these custom made’. To which Alex replied – ‘well you not, I have one.’

Cheers.

So in a way this album has a personal touch. Apology accepted Alex.