Kelly Jones [2007] Only The Names Have Been Changed

[01] Suzy
[02] Rosie
[03] Liberty
[04] Katie
[05] Violet
[06] Jayne
[07] Misty
[08] Emily
[09] Jean
[10] Summer



nme: So, you’ve slayed the stadiums and become untouchable... now it’s time to get personal again. A wistful, whiskey-soaked lump of Johnny Cash-style self indulgence is what’s needed! All 10 tracks of the earnest, heartbreak missives that make up ‘Only...’ are named after women who are all in a bad place. Affairs (‘Jean’), shagging taxi drivers (‘Katie’), attempted murder (‘Emily’) – the Stereophonics’ frontman is looking down on their troubled souls with just an acoustic guitar and his sizeable god complex for company. For some, there’s no denying the affectation of Kelly’s soulful croon, but if this is getting back in touch, then we fear he might be suffering from a deadly strain of Stately Home Syndrome. The cure? Two years playing bass in Stuart Cable’s new band.
(nme 4/10)

Kevin Rowland [1999] My Beauty

[01] The Greatest Love Of All
[02] Rag Doll
[03] Concrete And Clay
[04] Daydream Believer
[05] This Guy's In Love With You
[06] The Long And Winding Road
[07] It's Getting Better
[08] I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top
[09] Labelled With Love (I'll Stay With My Dreams)
[10] Reflections Of My Life
[11] You'll Never Walk Alone



amg: Kevin Rowland released his first solo album in 1988 (the wonderful The Wanderer), and it took 11 years for him to release his sophomore solo effort. The years between albums were not kind to Rowland. He battled drug addiction, went bankrupt, and disappeared from the public view. For My Beauty, Rowland decided to make a big return, both in presentation (the front sleeve must be seen to be believed) and music (very big production). The result? A CD of cover versions. My Beauty is a difficult album to review, because although it is not very good, no one can doubt Rowland's sincerity. He loves these songs, and it is clear that each and every one means a great deal to him. However, that does not guarantee a great listening experience. He still has an amazing voice, and does credible versions of "Rag Doll" and "Concrete and Clay," but things get a bit dicey when he alters the lyrics to "The Long and Winding Road." The result is laughable. His versions of "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "This Guy's in Love with You" are embarrassing, mainly because of overblown production and the fact that the songs seem out of his range. However, his introduction to "The Greatest Love of All" (which kicks off the album) is a brilliant use of voice and textures, and is the clear highlight of the CD. If only the rest lived up to the opening 30 seconds. Although he has a top-notch band full of great players (including Neil Hubbard), the songs are bland and don't serve any purpose. His versions are unique, perhaps, but not interesting. Overall, this is a depressing affair. With Dexy's Midnight Runners, Rowland wrote some of the finest pop songs in history ("Geno" and "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" come immediately to mind), but this album does not live up to any of his previous glories. A CD of original material might have been an improvement. As for the cover art...Kevin Rowland does not look good in drag.
(amg 4/10)