Ed Harcourt 'Strangers' album - Tiscali Music Reviews

13/09/2004

Album release date: 13th September 2004

Having scored huge critically acclaimed albums with 2001's 'Here Be Monsters' and 2003's 'From Every Sphere', singer/songwriter Ed Harcourt returns with his most accomplished album to date. The marvel inducing 'Strangers'.

Opening with a squall of guitar that wouldn't be out of place on a Muse album 'Strangers' heralds a new more confident direction for Harcourt, a shift away from whimsy and introspection to embrace a more pop savvy and often heavier sound. 'The Storm Is Coming', having enthralled us with its opening, continues to thrill for all of its four and a half minutes with a meaty melody worthy of Ben Folds. Next track, and future single, 'Born In The 70s' is a excitable blast of perfection that recalls The Move at their best whilst first single 'This One's For You' is an outstanding tune that sees Ed drag out his best Buckley vocal over a piano and brass shuffle.

Elsewhere the title track is an even bigger homage to Jeff Lynne than 'Born In The 70s' and 'Let Love Not Weigh Me Down' is the type of song Matt Bellamy will be writing once he gives up on Muse.

The album rolls on as strongly as it began with 'The Music Box' (delicate, beautiful and McCartney-esque) and 'Loneliness' (more upbeat than the title suggests) offering further highlights. Meanwhile 'Kids (Rise From The Ashes)' and 'Black Dress' bring the finale to a majestic close.

'Strangers' is the sound of an artist finally at ease with his phenomenal talent. Every song is given more room to breathe than on any previous Harcourt album with every splash of piano and vocal inflection used to their fullest potential. Ed Harcourt has become a wonderful songwriter, lets hope he has enough in him to become one of the all time greats.