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 Lucky Jim – Our Troubles End Tonight (re-release) Album ReviewThe first thing that strikes you about Lucky Jim’s debut album (originally released in 2003) is the palpable influence of certain notable musicians, to whom it blatantly owes much. Thinly veiled echoes of Bob Dylan, John Martin, Van Morrison, and Cat Stevens - to name but a few - are all evident in this collection of bluesy-folksy-ballads. On the plus side, the vocals are more soulful and less grating than Dylan’s, but the overall sound, whilst pleasantly ambient, is painfully derivative - at worst comparable to the plodding balladeer David Gray. There are some redeeming moments which reveal a more imaginative streak, and hopefully the promise of better things to come - from a throbbing, Portishead-esque bassline with electro ‘twiddles’ in the title track; to an eerie, dream-like waltz with a burlesque feel in track 4 - ‘Leah’; and the semi-spoken ‘The Honeymooners’, in which the husky, dramatic narrative style is reminiscent of French crooner Serge Gainsbourg, or even the eccentrically offbeat Scott Walker. Sadly though, these inspired moments are few, and the bland, pedestrian melodies and often clichéd lyrics are delivered with a lack of conviction that ultimately fails to impress. The 3 bonus tracks offered on this special edition re–release: a supposedly new version of ‘Lovely to Me’ (arguably the blandest track to start with), plus two forgettable ballads, leave one reaching for the original masters (see above) in favour of this pale imitation. Rowan Stanfield |
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