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americana
uk
Liverpool, United Kingdom |
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| Joe Mannix “White Flag” (Bongo Beat 2003) Available: Now | |
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How to characterise this record in a quick capsule, not easy - they say it’s an anti-folk record, but I’m not sure what that means - just folk with attitude, when you strip away all of the hype. But this isn’t over laden with the stamp of any attitude or movement. We’re in sensitive singer-songwriter territory, of the ilk, ‘trying to write the words I could never say to you’ (Port Aransas). |
| I’ll tell you one thing though - when he lets go on the harmonica you really know it, it’s as clear as a neon light in an igloo - see “Everyman” intro for prime example. There is enough craftsmanship here to keep it above average, like a light on his feet boxer, it dances about enough so you can’t hit it. It’s the sort of thing that’s been pulling people into coffee houses and vegetarian cafes for years, you can strum it and hum it and almost hear the click of cutlery - there’s Woody Guthrie in the corner talking to Phil Ochs and isn’t that the young Dylan sharing a muffin with Neil Young? There follows a round of polite applause, and tofu is served. He really can sing, gently like hair falling across your skin or on occasion like a Mathew Sweet power popper. The more experimental bonus track “A Meditation2 and the dreamy pop of “Dream” shows what he could do if he stretched himself a bit further. Try www.mannixrock.com for plenty of mp3s and an online store. DC | |
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