Alex Cornish // Call Back

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Call Back is the second release from Edinburgh based singer/songwriter Alex Cornish. Reading the credits on the booklet, it sounds like everything bar the kitchen sink has been used instrument-wise (maybe the kitchen sink has been included, who knows).

Call Back is a very laid back album right from the outset, starting with it's title track, which in honesty, sounds a little like a little introductory track. Once More I'm Put To The Test picks up the pace a little and features a great little guitar piece throughout.

Don't Hold Me Back is another great track and probably wouldn't look or sound out of place on a relaxing driving album. Slowing it down is I'm On The Right Side, featured in the closing credits of the film Solstice . Like John Lennon Said is a piano and vocal solo and probably not something you'd expect right in the middle of a album, but somehow, it doesn't seem out of place.

The Shame is up next and starts off very calm with guitar and piano, but after the first verse and chorus, it seems to become slightly disorientating with the piano playing a series of 4 keys over (think Twilight Zone) and then recovers with a beautiful string arrangement.

Shudder Like You're Freezing is another very calm, almost serene track. You're Not The One That I Love Any More picks the pace up again and again is another track that wouldn't look out of place on a relaxing driving album. In The Headlights is a lightly faster track which given it's position, doesn't instil confidence.. However, Won't Be Found brings the album to a calm and clean end. It doesn't leave you thinking that there's more to come.

Whilst some have described the music as dreary and like Marmite (i.e. you either like him or hate him), it is probably down to what you look for in music. As said at the beginning , Call Back is a very laid back and very relaxing album. You can quite happily put the CD on and then just listen to the tracks back to back without skipping. The songs themselves make you feel as if you've heard them before and almost draw you in, making you want to sing along with them, even if it's the first time that you've heard them.

It should be said though that the album doesn't do the songs justice. To truly appreciate them, you have to see Alex live. He's an artist gem that the world just hasn't discovered yet, which is a shame. If you're looking for something a little different and out of the ordinary, then Alex's new album is highly recommended

Rating: 5/5