They may not admit it – at least in public – but every music journalist has acts that they feel frustrated that they are not bigger. As a music geek since I stumbled out of the womb, it’s a very long list for me, but two of those acts for me are Broken Records and the solo work of singer Jamie Sutherland. Sure I’m able to see them in intimate venues but I’d like to see them headlining massive places. I’m more than willing to share the secret of how good they are – I mean, I’m not a petulant teenager about acts (well, not any more).
Given that Broken Records are still very much a going concern, and this is his second solo album (following on from Bruise, released around the time of the pandemic) there may be those who wonder why these songs are simply not put towards a new band album. See, the thing is that whilst both are topped off with Sutherland’s vocals, this time he’s looking at different influences and less about the soundscapes that characterise the band’s work. In the early days, the band were once described as sounding like Nirvana – if they came from Belarus. This album tips its hat to classic songwriters of the likes of John Prine and Leonard Cohen, amongst others, and it feels as if Sutherland is writing for himself. In the best possible way, of course…
The album opens with first single ‘Start Again,’ which feels like a call to arms. The album has been described as being inspired by vintage Bob Dylan, which it is, but then Dylan is still pretty much the songwriter’s songwriter, which anyone who has seen Cat Power touring her Dylan show recently will attest to. There are some utterly gorgeous, slower moments like the recent single ‘Some Things Hurt A Little More‘ and the beautiful ‘While I Sleep‘ which may be the best track here.
There are of course, no shortage of singer-songwriters in the world, and the accusation often flung at them is that so many of them are just so average, irrespective of how much blood, sweat and tears may have gone into their writing . So it’s refreshing to find a singer-songwriter album that shows skills that have been honed over several decades to produce a rather fine record. While many can often slip into world weariness that can bring the listener down with them, the overwhelming feeling from this album is one of hope, as exemplified by the fantastic album closer ‘We Will Rise,’ which really is the equivalent of the sun coming through after a long, dark night, or someone pulling you into a deep hug after you’ve just cried your eyes out.
So yes, while I’m looking forward to another Broken Records album, I’m hoping that Mr. Sutherland will continue to pursue a solo career at the same time. Lord knows there’s room for both.
