Patrick Duff - Luxury Problems

20th June 2005
'Luxury Problems' is the first solo album by Patrick Duff (ex Bristol band Strangelove).

The songs were recorded in the West Country over the last two years with the collaboration of producers Alex Lee (ex-Strangelove, Suede) and Adrian Utley (Portishead), together with a hand-picked group of musicians including ex-Spiritualised members Mike Mooney and Damon Reece.

Anyone expecting a Strangelove record should beware; this is not one, and not like one. What it is, however, is a varied and multi-paced record that underlines the man's ability to write (and sing) in different styles, from a spikey post-punk drawl ('Married With Kids'), non-sensical slur ('Early Morning Birds') to a sonourous folksy baritone ('King Of The Underworld').

The subject matter as much concerns the modern world as it does his usual preoccupations - relationships, control and personal freedom.

The highlights of the album are not when the vocals are screamed and bawled, but those moments when the production is more spare, (or he is sat at a piano) and his ear for melody can really have space to come out (check out the organ part in 'Mother Nature's Refugee', 'The Lion And The Hawthorn Tree').

In 'F**ked', another such delicate track, the man puts it succintly himself: 'It sends the shivers through us - everytime'.

Brooding, as dark at times as Nick Cave, this is a record that begs a second listen, but which follows Hemmingway's maxim: 'we are stronger in the broken places'.

So let's have more of the vulnerable stuff please, Mr Duff.

Patrick's new official site is www.patrickduff.net