I wanted to share some insight into my new LP "Retriever,” if you're reading this you probably have it somewhere in the vicinity.
It was recorded mostly in London last August during what the papers were calling "The BIG Heatwave of 2003". I'm not sure if the weather played a role in the making of this record but I CAN tell you that much of Ed Harcourt's excellent piano playing was recorded while in his underwear. As you may notice I've teamed up with (producer) Martin Terefe again. Unlike the previous record though, this one has more of an uptempo, electric feel to it, AND...on a few of the tracks I think I've finally figured out how to write a chorus!! It also features (along with Martin's Swedish pals) one of those TRAVIS boys on a few songs (Neil on drums).
Lyrically, the album jumps around quite a bit, so I thought I'd go through them briefly if that's ok...
"HARD BARGAIN" is one part love song, one part letter to God...
"IMAGINARY FRIENDS” is a sort of cautionary children’s song.....
"NOT ABOUT TO LOSE” is a pretty straightforward track about um.... defiance I guess...
"TOMORROW IN HER EYES" is a love song that features another attempt by me on piano...
"FROM NOW ON" is a song about vigilance in an age of fear mongering "Prop-Agenda”.....
"FOR THE DRIVER" is a simple hymn like tune about forgiveness and seeing another point of view....
"WISHING WELLS" is more of a "rocker" written after a night of shockingly bad television...
"WHATEVER IT TAKES" is a kind of tribute to Bill Withers (one of my heroes) and lyrically it's about trying hard not to screw up a good thing...
"DANDELION WINE" is a very bittersweet tune, and more confessional then I normally like to get but felt it necessary to write somehow....
"HAPPINESS" kicks around the idea of pursuing something we're already in possession of...
"HOW ON EARTH" is one of the most romantic songs I've ever written (probably not for the cynical)...
And lastly, "I KNOW IT WELL" is a direct lyric about reassurance...
Well, that's about it for now, I hope my first attempt at writing album notes have been helpful and that you like what you hear. Whenever I send out a new album, I'm always hoping it'll bring me back some good luck or good news, which is partly why I've decided to call this one "Retriever" so there ya go. |
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