03-02-2019, 13:32
RUSTIN MAN ~ Drift Code
![[Image: image.jpg?c=2glLgizUCkXw89DkVdjqcVWnbEN5...IBuB4=&f=5]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=2glLgizUCkXw89DkVdjqcVWnbEN5fCjifro6xhIBuB4=&f=5)
This second album by erstwhile Talk Talk bassist, Paul Douglas Webb, aka Rustin Man, is one of those that draws you in – very different to anything I’ve heard before. Ummm – a stab at a ‘sounds like’ would probably be a bucolic Nick Cave meets a little something of Bowie (especially on “The World’s In Town”) meets Gavin Bryars meets Leon Russell’s Carney! Melancholy, if not downright mournful at times and decidedly offbeat but not downbeat. Thoroughly engaging, IMHO - I’d say he is sound, musically speaking, even if unorthodox, and it didn’t leave me feeling miserable – the opposite, in fact.
There are velvety layers that sweep everything along, some almost big band or swing moments, a sombre organ from time to time, vocal accompaniments, and then there’s that faintly fairground feel which melds with what might be vintage synths and wah wah. There is one instrumental interlude “Euphonium Dreams” - the remaining eight tracks are sung. This is all him, with the exception of the drums and some backing vocals – he arranged and plays all the instruments. Considering his first album was made seventeen years ago, he’s had a good long time to cook up this one! And I suspect it was a labour of love.
Webb's speech (and therefore his enunciation) is flawed and his voice is far from perfect but somehow it doesn’t jar, timings are most unusual, and lyrically it’s worthy – definitely a listen that requires attention. To my surprise – it feels like a treasure - unique and original. Odd, most certainly, but I can do odd from time to time, lol!
Here’s “The World’s In Town” – don’t let the slow first half put you off … it builds up … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAGq1470T7I
“Judgement Train” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgBs42v3l0k
And the opener … “Vanishing Heart” ….
This second album by erstwhile Talk Talk bassist, Paul Douglas Webb, aka Rustin Man, is one of those that draws you in – very different to anything I’ve heard before. Ummm – a stab at a ‘sounds like’ would probably be a bucolic Nick Cave meets a little something of Bowie (especially on “The World’s In Town”) meets Gavin Bryars meets Leon Russell’s Carney! Melancholy, if not downright mournful at times and decidedly offbeat but not downbeat. Thoroughly engaging, IMHO - I’d say he is sound, musically speaking, even if unorthodox, and it didn’t leave me feeling miserable – the opposite, in fact.
There are velvety layers that sweep everything along, some almost big band or swing moments, a sombre organ from time to time, vocal accompaniments, and then there’s that faintly fairground feel which melds with what might be vintage synths and wah wah. There is one instrumental interlude “Euphonium Dreams” - the remaining eight tracks are sung. This is all him, with the exception of the drums and some backing vocals – he arranged and plays all the instruments. Considering his first album was made seventeen years ago, he’s had a good long time to cook up this one! And I suspect it was a labour of love.
Webb's speech (and therefore his enunciation) is flawed and his voice is far from perfect but somehow it doesn’t jar, timings are most unusual, and lyrically it’s worthy – definitely a listen that requires attention. To my surprise – it feels like a treasure - unique and original. Odd, most certainly, but I can do odd from time to time, lol!
Here’s “The World’s In Town” – don’t let the slow first half put you off … it builds up … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAGq1470T7I
“Judgement Train” … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgBs42v3l0k
And the opener … “Vanishing Heart” ….
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
