This is a record rich in theme, melody and intent. There are no bad tracks. no filler and moreover it feels wonderfully familiar on the first listen.
Findlay Brown is an extraordinary songwriter who according to interviews he's given recently in the press was saved from a jobbing career in the army by a teenage experience with Jimi Hendrix and LSD. There are three strands which appear inform Findlay's songwriting craft: the folk music produced during, and influencing the music of, the sixties, twisted psychedlia (at its best on 7 minute trip out track Don't You Know I Love You), and straight forward singer songwritery such as the title track Separated By The Sea.
This is a beautiful modern record which manages to evoke the spirit of some of the sixties most celebrated acts - the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Stills and Nash, and the Beatles - whilst remaining contemporary and fresh. Next to the dull plasticity of a James Blunt this is an exciting addition to the world of the singer songwriter - file somewhere between Norah Jones and Ryan Adams.