Craig has left the more guitar driven sound of The Hold Steady behind for this album and instead has opted for a more laid back, lo-fi sound. He has added a healthy dose of Americana into the mix which coupled with his narrative vocal style all comes together in a highly listenable album.
The vocal delivery of Craig is the defining element to the album, he has a distinctive, almost spoken style which comes across as a mix between Randy Newman and Tom Waits. He has a similar song writing to the afore mentioned pair with every song telling a story of life and love.
Album opener ‘When No One’s Watching’ is probably the closest the disc gets to The Hold Steady sound with an excellent rhythmic groove and great guitar playing, anyone familiar with Emmy Lou Harris’s contemporary output would recognise a few cues here. Other tracks of note are the uptempo, country tinged, ‘ New Friend Jesus’, ‘ Terrified Eyes’, ‘Rented Room’, which is a slow building number which ends on a high, and finally ‘ Not Much Left Of Us’ rounds things off nicely with again a country tinged feel, pedal steel and all.
Craig has delivered an album to chill to, headphones on, lights dimmed and drink in hand. A perfect way to unwind at the end of the day. Go on, treat yourself.
David Wilson