release date: Oct. 1998
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Simon Dawson, Roddy Frame
label: Independiente - nationality: Scotland, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Back to the One" - 2. "The North Star" - 3. "Here Comes the Ocean" - 6. "Bigger Brighter Better" (5 / 5) (live on Later) - 8. "Reason for Living" (live) - 9. "Sister Shadow" - 10. "Hymn to Grace" (acoustic live)
Studio album solo debut by Scottish singer / songwriter Roddy Frame. The album is released in his own name but it's basically his seventh studio album when rightfully counting the six releases by Aztec Camera released from 1983 to 1995. The now 34-year old artist has given up releasing material under the band moniker and pursued a 'real' solo career despite the fact that he was always in full control when making music as Aztec Camera. The last studio album by Aztec Camera, Frestonia from 1995 really marked the transition to a singer / songwriter form, and that may have been the stepping stone to his change of name. Except for producer credits, the additional musicians from the '95 album are identical to the ones appearing on The North Star, but that aside the new album is the fulfilment of what appears as a slightly bolder folk-founded album.
In spite of a generally good reception and positive reviews the album failed to attract much fuss and seemed to be almost neglected by radio stations and record buyers - of course a small independent label didn't help much in promoting the album as something to pay attention to. The album sold better than the unsuccessful Frestonia and made it to number #51 on the UK albums chart list, still far from the sales numbers of the first five albums as Aztec Camera.
From my perspective, this is a solid modern singer / songwriter album, one of Frame's best album releases and a highly recommendable album.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]
