Reviewed by Gareth Paul Taylor

Shane Beales is a Liverpool-based singer/songwriter. Don't know who Baby Ingrid is though. This is a record as musically wonderful and mysterious as the strange packaging, definitely an indie styling all round. The opener simply titled "01" employs a 5/8 metre which hints at the inventiveness to follow. (The title track itself is in 11/8)! The music is very much piano-centred with some tightly-controlled drum work and a good, thick wall of sound from the ample electric guitars. I cannot help make comparisons with Ben Folds and the late great Elliott Smith, especially vocally with the frequent double-tracking, though I would say the overall sound is far less dry and more ambient in places. It is difficult to comment on the lyrical content as typical of such releases the CD booklet incorporates photographs alone, and Shane's website seems inaccessible, but never mind! The centrepiece is perhaps the lengthy and energetic "King". At times the music hints at Radiohead (especially the track "That Will Do" rather like "Pyramid Song" with its piano stylings and Thom Yorke-style vocal), but don't worry, the general ambience is happy! Clearly a release intended for the more hip listener, the liner notes end with the statement "This album is dedicated to Jesus (don't let that put you off)" - rather too apologetic for my book, but I kind of know where some of these folk are coming from. An excellent and inventive CD.

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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