London-born and now New York based Teddy Thompson’s album has been described as “pretty”, “beautiful” and “wistful” by other critics, yet it isn’t simply a sweet collection of songs, but rather a deserving collection of finely crafted tracks and beautiful lyrics from one of our home-grown talents.

Thompson certainly has fine messages and an impressive way of delivering them. The album on the whole is a joy to listen to, without the need to skip a track.  “I should get up” conveys the true chore that is life.  It’s exactly what most of us feel day in day out; that life is just one big laborious effort we just keep having to get up and struggle with. Similarly, another great track, ‘Altered State’ has some spot-on lyrics like “I like to put on a happy face but I cry on the inside, is it so hard to be happy, and I struggle to feel just okay”. It gives a sense of satisfaction to listen to such candid lyrics put to such impressive arrangements.

‘Everybody Move It’ with its country-pop sound, features backing vocals from Rufus and Martha Wainwright and in fact, Thompson’s style is very similar to the Wainwrights’. He has rich vocals and heartfelt lyrics that prove all the more meaningful, since Thompson uses his deeply expressive voice in just the right way. ‘I Wish It Was Over’ is another catchy track with truthful lyrics.

The raw talent here is very impressive – not only Thompson’s voice and lyrical insight but also the varied arrangements. The absolute gem on the album has to be the title track. It is an earnest ballad that portrays genuine feelings of love, letting go and heartbreak. Well worth listening to.

(5/5)

Release Date: 07 November 2005

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