I have known John for some years now, back when KingBathmat was actually just John providing all of the instruments, vocals, songs etc instead of the band that they are now. So, when I discovered that he would be releasing a solo album I was somewhat intrigued to hear it as would this be a continuation of the KB material or something quite different? I should have known really that the result is something that it is of course both and neither at the same time. Primarily an acoustic album, this has allowed John to create a new world that to me feels like a reflective melancholic walk through the countryside. Every time I play this I “see” a landscape in my mind, but something more akin to rolling English countryside than what I see every day when I look out of my window here in NZ.
Somehow there is incredible depth and restraint, all in an album where there are often very few instruments playing. John has of course provided everything himself (although he has actually allowed Nathan Summers to share the drum seat), from all instrumentation and vocals through writing the material, recording, mixing and mastering it. I do also have to make mention of the stunning photography that one can see in the booklet (and there are full versions on his website) as they are pieces of art in their own right – strangely the photographer isn’t credited, but they have captured the passion and force of the sea against the stillness of the musician, a depth and power in its’ own right that has been carried through to the album.
If I had to describe the music as a genre then I would go for progressive folk, but this is music that is transcending sheer description and pointedly refuses to be pigeonholed. The only thing that people need to know is that this is a stunning piece of work that displays singer songwriting at its’ very best. In the words of the press release, “The emotive songs of ‘Unearth’ encompass and depict the dark substratum of modern life. Social engineering, existential contemplation, survivalism, childhood trauma, love & despair and everything in between are covered and flow out through lyrics that are fused with an uncanny knack for melody”.
Classic songwriting, classic performance, classic album. Indispensible.
www.johnbassett.co.uk
