Ian McNabb - 'Before All Of This' (Fairfield) Released 27/06/05

It must be fashionable at the moment to release an album split between acoustic and electric compositions – fast on the heels of the Foo Fighters recent release is this offering from Ian McNabb.  Respect is due to the man; he’s survived in the music industry for over two decades and crashed back into the Top 40 singles chart earlier this year.

The acoustic half of the disc eases you into the first half of the record, with ‘There Oughta Be A Law’ and ‘Before All Of This’ showing a talent for soothing melodies.  McNabb is still a good vocalist, this is particularly demonstrated on the haunting ‘Rider (The Heartless Mare)’, and anyone suffering from heartache has to hear ‘Finally Getting Over You’. But there are a couple of tracks that are simply way too boring, namely ‘Western Eyes’ and ‘Unfinished Business In London Town’ – but it is worth sticking it out untill you get to part two of the album.

Seemingly from out of nowhere, ‘Let The Young Girl Do What She Wants To’ kicks in with thudding drums, a neat riff, and an uplifting trumpet – adding up to a positive anthem.  ‘Lovers At The End Of Time’ packs monster guitars, but momentum is lost on ‘Picture Of The Moon’ and ‘The New Me’.  McNabb then pulls the proverbial rabbit out the hat, ‘Keeping Your Love Alive’ seems to plod along innocently before an explosive and surprising chorus.  The record is best summed up in the two versions of ‘The Lonely Ones’.  One is background music, whilst the other incites air-guitar and could have crowds bouncing – you can figure out which is preferable, and with it which part of this album is better half.