Tom McRae - All Maps Welcome
An emotionally liberating third album, or an even better description
of this artefact would be that Mr. McRae is the tour guide in a compelling,
refreshing and laid back journey through life’s beauty, the mysteries of
it and human emotions. The soothing style that trundles along in a laid
back and friendly manner with McRae’s acoustically prominent instrumentals
sends you off on a journey that omits the weariness of travel. The captivating
'Humming Bird Song’ wistfully weaves itself way into your conscience, as
it glides peacefully around you like, well, the trochilidae member in the
song title.
With six tracks out of eleven on this offering, weighing in at the
four minute plus mark, McRae demonstrates ability to slowly and subtly
build up emotion with a similar craft and skill attributed to writer Dylan
Thomas. ‘Silent Boulevard’ is a case in point and represents the liveliest
piece on the album, featuring the Finn Bros spiced up with a droplet of
Damien Rice type vocals, plus a clattering and clanging accompaniment that
facilitates the graceful wrestle with the topic of the cruel nature of
humanity.
One thing stands out more than anything in subtle, slow and melodic offerings and that is the lyrics, especially when they are delivered with the soaring and compelling nature of the earnest Mr. McRae. The rousing chorus concealed within ‘The Girl Who Falls Downstairs’, aptly demonstrate the lyrical prowess that is on display on this album;
“And I see myself turn into something else, turn into someone else for
a while.
And I know I might run into this night, running another dream
to the ground.”
With a crafted backing band that includes the cruising piano riffs of Olli Cunning; music, magic and imagination have a seductive soiree in the listener’s mind. ‘All Maps Welcome’ is one of the most polished and unpretentious offerings around lately, with Mcrae’s tender touch having the ability to calm down even the likes of Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer.
David Adair
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