Reviewed by Ian Whitwood

Bristol-based singer/songwriter Robin Mitchell (lately moving into synth pop with his Featherweight Soul project) has produced an album of contrasts here with his stripped down acoustic style influenced by a range of artists: Gilbert O'Sullivan ("Woe Is Me"), Chris De Burgh ("All That I Want"), Leonard Cohen ("Don't Let The Darkness Overtake You") and Belle & Sebastian (several tracks). Opening with an up tempo number, "Woe Is Me" is laced with humour: "Picked a fight with the Boss, somehow I lost" hinting at an internal battle (if the 'Boss' is God or his conscience), which is underlined crudely in "How Can We Call On God?" where he admits, "My conscience is f*****" and adds, "Vomit pours out through my eyes, nose and mouth and I just want to drown in the sea." "All That I Want" sounds like 'A Spaceman Came Travelling' at first, but it is another song of frustrations which is rescued by an eerily atmospheric chorus. "Do Not Let The Darkness Overtake Me" is the standout track with its haunting mood emphasised by the reed organ and clarinet and a positive tone "I will walk into eternity with my head held high." His theological awareness comes to the fore as he sings "But I know the deathly scorpion angel's tail has lost its sting." The penultimate track "Revolution Song, Part 2" reveals a healthier conscience as he sings of the Syrian refugee crisis and acknowledges that "merchants of violence rule the market place." It is a beautiful song with some fine harmonies and overlapping vocals from Esther Wilcox, Joey Mitchell and Chloe Newnham. With some promising, thought-provoking songs and accomplished musicianship, the enigmatic Mr Mitchell will do well to build on the positives of this album and respond to the promptings of his conscience. If he's to get much support from believers it would also be a good idea to leave out the f-word.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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