release date: 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,05]
producer: Ed Buller, David McAlmont, Paul Sampson, Saul Freeman
label: Hut Recordings - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Either" (5 / 5) - 2. "Not Wiser" (4 / 5) - 3. "Unworthy (Edit)" (5 / 5) ('Thieves' single) - 4. "Misunderstood" (4 / 5) - 6. "Conversation" - 8. "Worn Away" - 9. "It's Always This Way" (4 / 5)
Solo album debut released by David McAlmont, former singer of Thieves (a collaboration band consisting of multi-instrumentalist Saul Freeman and vocalist David McAlmont). The album was recorded and intended to be issued as the studio debut album by Thieves in 1993, but the band split before the release - and eventually, the record company managed to release it as a solo album, despite the fact that Saul Freeman took part in the creation, writing process and production of the music. All tracks except "Conversation" (written by Joni Mitchell) are co-written by McAlmont and Freeman.
It was issued without much notice by critics and music lovers, which seems quite strange. And like music critic Dave Thompson at AllMusic concludes "[...] the weak reception it was granted upon release seems unjust nevertheless" - which in itself is a strange comment as he then goes on to hand the album 3 / 5 stars after pointing out its obvious qualities.
Regardless the making and release process of the album, it's almost entirely McAlmont's voice that really shapes the album - and what a fabulous and powerful instrument his voice is. This is pure contemporary pop soul and it's truly just great and very wonderful.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]
see also: [ "Misty Blue" on Later with Jools Holland, 1995 ]
