So, a solo album from a member of Razorlight… oh great, what on earth could that entail: a ridiculous overblown pile of trouserwank; some pretentious, overproduced, sell out excuse for another large pay-cheque? Or has he made a thirteen minute acoustic record raising money and awareness for Naomi House Children’s Hospice?
I say, that paragraph jumped a little. But seriously, a short charity record is exactly what Andy Burrows has released. Indeed, a charity record with the lyrics taken directly from the children’s poetry of Peter Dixon, with the longest track clocking it at just under two minutes. No shit.
Admirable, innovative and hardly what this reviewer expected, but is it any good? Well, it’s simplistic and occasionally repetitive, but actually, it is. Good, I mean. Burrows showcases a rather beautiful melodious voice and an ability to turn someone else’s words into some delightful and memorable tunes.
The album is chock full of joyful, bouncy, melodic ditties; indeed title track, ‘The Colour of my Dreams’ is a fabulously cute child’s eye view of what happiness means in the face of being labelled as a dyslexic. This comes recommended for anyone who needs something quiet, unassuming and distinctly undepressing in the background while working for those big scary exams.
Okay, the lyrics can sometimes be a little much and there isn’t much variety, but in a thirteen minute charity record that’s hardly the point is it? If nothing else it’s a lesson in honest, simple, beautiful music that Johnny Borrell could do with taking a slice of notice of.
In fact he could probably do with noting the vocal quality, imagination and lack of irritating bullshit in general. And let’s face it: if you don’t like this record, you obviously hate children.
