This album is a 'grower' in the best sense of the word. Rather than trying to hammer you over the head with it's greatness, this album un-expectedly creeps up on you until you are well and truly seduced by it's alternate honesty, sweetness and sharp wit.
It was recorded quickly, despite the LONG gestation time of Jarvis' ideas, and it's all the better for it, for Jarvis sounds fresher than he has for years. He's as up to the moment as ever with his lyrical concerns, but he also adds some less familiar,irony-free cooncerns about growing up and what drives us to be creative ('Black Magic').
Also, in these new wave of new wave times, it is a delight to find someone who is not afraid to write melodies.
Be patient and you will come to appreciate just how grest a songwriter Mr Cocker remains.
