There really is no one else like Dan Michaelson. He write intensely beautiful songs about love and romance, with an eye for recondite detail and an ability to make catching lyrics that just take my breath away. The number of time I listen to one of his songs and think `actually, yes, love is just like that'. This is a slowish album, centre stage is Michaelson's sublime lyrics delivered in his slow, slightly craggy, ever so expressive voice. It's as though he puts his whole heart into every word he delivers. The Coastguards are a great backing group for Michaelson, delivering slow shuffly beats, accentuating and supporting his vocals and always seeming to know just what note is required where. The backing is understated, and at times it seems as though the notes that aren't played are as important as the ones that are.
At this point in a review I would usually say `recommended to fans of...' and draw some comparisons, but I honestly cannot think of anyone who bears comparison with Michaelson's beautiful work. The best I can do is `for fans of early Leonard Cohen, but sparser, gloomier and much more British'.
At the time of writing Amazon have no track listing, so here it is:
1 Ease on in...
2 Now I'm a Coastguard
3 I was A Gentleman
4 Old Friends
5 Bust
6 The Letter
7 Crackling on the Floor
8 Oh Hetty
9 Your 2nd Man
10 Love in Line