Swindon Music

Tim Gilvin - Out of the City

lazarus
Location: Kingdom of Wessex
Posts: 1659

Linked Items

Tim Gilvin Temporary Central Library

Review Rating

Rated 4.0 by 3 users.

album review

Posted Tue 26 Aug 2008 08:19 by lazarus.

Arc are a band from space. I know that because I read it on myspace and far be it from me to cast aspersions on the accuracy of internet information. If this is true then Tim Gilvin is their pilot and it is his solo album, that is under discussion today. “Out of the City” is a collection of delicate and laid back piano based songs that tend to reflect the album title in their themes of escapism and leaving the rat race behind. The majority of the songs seem to have the feel of a more distant time and place, possibly an Oxford cocktail bar in the 1930 and Tim’s voice with its clean delivery and wonderful diction complete the illusion. But just when you have this image of the man bedecked in tuxedo and monocle he manages to throw in a curveball in the form of songs like Lines, with its more modern beats or the slightly funky soul vibes of A Deep Breath.

It is a surprising album for such a young musician. Whilst, lyrically, it does have the wide eyed innocence and romantic notions of a youthful composer, it also has the space and restraint of a much wiser musician and an individuality that shows the up-most maturity and total disregard for the fickle whims of fashion. Refreshing, to say the least, in a world that often seems to comprise entirely of Green Day clones or copycats of what ever the latest hair gel fixated band happen to be today’s Radio One darlings.

For me the highlight of the album is Standing by the Sea, a gentle ballad of optimism and wistful reflection with the sultry tones of To Live in Debt also requiring a mention. As an album it’s not going to be everybody’s cup of tea, but is an ideal choice when you just need a break from the norm and fancy something gentle, something light and soothing…something that will just wash over you with the minimal of fuss.