Artist: Ally Kerr
Title: Off The Radar
Label: Much Obliged
Genre: Indie
Bitrate: 174kbit av.
Time: 00:36:21
Size: 47.93 mb
Rip Date: 2008-10-15
Str Date: 2008-00-00
1. Could HAve Been A Contender 2:51
2. Be The One 2:36
3. I Think I'm Bleeding 3:13
4. There's A World 2:20
5. The Toothbrush Song 2:27
6. Off The Radar 3:19
7. Old Friend 3:24
8. Is It Too Late To Work For NASA? 2:48
9. Mystery Star 2:13
10. Amorino 2:35
11. The Truth That I Have Earned 2:53
12. Footprints 5:42
Release Notes:
Glasgow's Ally Kerr does a nice line in pop songs and "Off the
Radar" provides us with the opportunity to enjoy 12 more of
his little pop masterpieces.
Opening the album is "Could Have Been a Contender" - all
polished pop perfection that brings back memories of the
jaunty hits of the Housemartins and their catalogue of
intelligent and catchy songs. "I Think I'm Bleeding" has an
underlying country flavour to it. Whilst once again presented
as a happy little song, there is more than a touch of
bitterness in his words. Funnily enough, the rather twee "The
Toothbrush Song" would also make a quality country song due to
its dry lyrics even if a cowboy would feel the need to
accompany such emotions with bourbon rather than sparkling
mineral water.
The pace picks up with the title track "Off the Radar" that
truly highlights Mr Kerr's pop sensibilities and offsets his
laidback vocal delivery with some spirited guitar. Loves lost
and won (mostly lost thoughà) and a sense of reflection on his
younger years seem a common theme to the songs in this album
and, indeed, regret is once more evident in "Is It Too Late to
Work for NASA" even if it is disguised here with wry humour.
If Bluesbunny closes his eyes, on "Mystery Star" Ally Kerr
seems to transform himself into Edinburgh master popsters
Dropkick and there are certainly worse things to be than that.
If Bluesbunny had to pick a favourite track, it would probably
be "Amorino" evoking, as it does, the melancholic pleasures of
heartbreak.
The thing that impresses most about this album is the songs
themselves. Well crafted and melodic with sharp and observant
lyrics, they are however presented as a whole lot fluffier
than they actually are. It must be Ally Kerr's choice to do so
but it does seem that he is deliberately avoiding giving any
kind of offense. Maybe he never gets angry himself - although
his words suggest otherwise -but Bluesbunny feels that he is
doing his own songs a disservice here by sprinkling an inch of
icing sugar on everything. It is not necessary for everything
in life to have a cherry on top for it to be appetising.
Overall, this is a happy, upbeat album that is just a bit too
polite and well mannered to try and force itself upon your
affections. The production and arrangements are smoother than
your average Starbuck's decaf latte but it is perhaps fair
comment to say that the omnipresent sugar coating will suit
his fans. However, and maybe this is a reviewer thing, a bit
of fire and even some unpredictability would have been
welcome. Then again, the Bluesbunny was always a quadruple
espresso kind of guy.