Aqualung - 'Memory Man' (Columbia) Released 27/08/09

It seems slightly clichéd and overused when an album is described as “stunning” or “beautiful” but it is hard to find two other words which fit Aqualung’s ‘Memory Man’ so well. Aqualung, aka Matt Hales, is a master craftsman.  His finely written, gentle songs have been used to define key moments in American TV shows like The OC, CSI and Scrubs as well as films and adverts. It’s an impressive achievement but well deserved. In a similar vein to Coldplay, Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, Aqualung’s lyrics are poetic and hissongs are epic in proportion.  Every one is at least three minutes long, each song is different and all are wonderful in their individuality. 

The high quality is evident right from the opening bars of ‘Cinderella’, as it soars and loops.  Female vocals float behind Matt’s slightly distorted voice as he warns us to be careful of what we hope and we pray for. ‘Pressure Suit’ is weightless and airy love song.  His breathy, eloquent vocals are absorbed into the electro beats, piano and guitar.  It’s like dreaming while you’re awake. And this mood continues with ‘Something To Believe In’.  Its strong and determined vocals with faster paced piano ground the track in reality, while a harp transcends it to a dream level.

‘The Lake’ starts like a rippling millpond with tinkling pianos, but soon a tempest rages with swirling backing vocals and scaling melodies.  It is brilliantly dramatic and haunting: film score material. Then changing tone again, pounding drums, chiming percussion and Matt Hales’ falsetto give ‘Rolls So Deep’ the Northern Soul pop flavour that Doves explored. Closing track ‘Broken Bone’s at first sounds like a distorted radio transmission. Initially a fragile sound, but this soon clears to reveal a powerful yet vulnerable call to spend more time with a loved one.   

There are so many levels to M'emory Man' that every play reveals something new. It’s far from a party album, but if you’re after a moment to reflect and relax this is for you. Ethereal, dreamlike and heartfelt, it is such a joy to listen to that it’s almost breathtaking.