There are worse ways to spend the hours that the sun rises on early January than listening to what I sensed as I was listening was the first great album of 2024. Christmas is well and truly over now. Time to get going again.
It's been evident for a while now that Ryder- Jones is a considerable talent, At least I think so. I've chronicled his progress in some detail and on a regular basis since he first caught my attention with 2015's West Kirby Primary which I fell in love with and saw him support with a storming gig at Cluny 2.
Since then I've liked the records he's done and I've liked him more. He's a man who works at his own pace. A craftsman and an unashamed slight depressive with a great record collection and aspration to match it.. In line with the classic singer songwriter craftsmen and depressives Brian Wilson, Arthur Lee.
I don't think that's overstating the case mentioning him in such esteemed company. Because he's good and willing to put in the work, which not everyone with similar dreams is worth doing. Mentioning no names ... Gallagher brothers. Bill Ryder-Jones on the other hand. He's a man of ambition who sets the bar high for himself and a first play of new record Iechyd Da was enough to make me realise immediately that this may be as good as he's done. He certainly seems to think so judging by the barely supressed excitement with which he'd counted down the days on social media to the records release.
Well it's here now, and one play was all I needed to know to recognise it has all the hallmarks of an absolute classic and the man has every right to ve very, very proud of his achievement indeed. This is a fantastic record and I look forward to owning it over the coming days and weeks as we make our way with steady tread towards Spring. Initial verdict. Depressive masterpiece but one that somehow locates the silver lining as the best epressive masterpieces should and generally do.
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