The shoegaze phenomenon has, if you could raise your retinas high enough to see, recently enjoyed somewhat of a re-birth, or at the very least a re-run, like a resident spirit still trudging the halls endlessly, gaze locked on his shackles – perhaps its actually just that we’ve all become perceptive mediums of late. Rising like an agoraphobic phoenix from the flames, started in the London club Sonic Cathedral and marked most recently by My Bloody Valentine’s reignited and victorious war against hearing and Jesus & Mary Chain and Swervedriver reunions, it’s a wonder that even more proponents currently fading from the pages of early 90s copies of the Melody Maker stored in suburban lofts haven’t been pulled back to nod through the motions. Neil Halstead and Slowdive would presumably have been more than welcome, but conversely, even gliding further from his current band Mojave 3’s partially related sonic waves of spirituality, he has put out a second solo album that plucks its way delicately, carefully, unobtrusively through ever so slightly stubbly, traditional folk pastures. There’s an metronome aspect to ‘Always The Good’ and electronic stitching to ‘Spinning For Spoonie’, but this is not folktronica, this is honest to goodness songwriting that never strays too far from source but isn’t afraid to regularly stretch its legs. It is good for the constitution. With his wispy, homely tones he spins enjoyable ruminations with basic language and velour melodies, songs like ‘A Gentle Heart’ and ‘Little Twig’ recalling contemporary James Yorkston and more recent peer Pete Greenwood. Here’s an album that is happy with its own company. Relish the delicacy, for it answers any calls to return to the noise of old all by itself.
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