TOM McRAE

Just Like Blood (2002)

Rating (Out of 10): 7.5

A Day Like Today/You Only Disappear/Ghost Of A Shark/Stronger Than Dirt/Overthrown/Walking 2 Hawaii/Mermaid Blues/Karaoke Soul/Line Of Fire/Human Remains

Recent reviews of British singer songwriter Tom McRae have compared his music to Nick Drake and his lyrics to the contemporary English poet Simon Armitage. How could I not buy his album after that?! Unfortunately neither of those comparisons bare any resemblance whatsoever to the reality of the situation. McRae has taken the album title from the Simon Armitage poem ‘I say, I Say, I Say’, about a stand up comedian trying to deliver a comedy routine about the unfunny subject of his suicide attempt. In many ways the title, and the Armitage reference is very fitting. This album is dark, introspective, and at times very, very beautiful. McRae’s first album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, and it’s dark, sombre content lead to him being considered the new Morrissey, something which is totally unjustifiable, as he bears no resemblance to the former Smiths front man in the slightest. Yes, the subject matter is dark, but it doesn’t compare to the intelligent, ironic, poignancy that made Morrissey such an icon. The Nick Drake reference is also a bit baffling. McRae plays acoustic guitar throughout the album, but at no time does he capture the unique Drake style.

McRae’s voice changes a lot throughout the album, sometimes sounding delicate and beautiful, sometimes sounding harsh and forced. This is something that makes me feel let down by this record. I don’t believe him. When someone sings of sorrow and depression and loss, it needs to come from the heart, and when it’s done in an affected voice, it’s impossible to believe. ‘Walking 2 Hawaii’ is one of those songs. It is an absolutely beautiful song, one of the best on the album, but his voice sounds a little too forced at times, and that spoils it. ‘Overthrown’ is another highlight. His voice sounds soft and feminine, the music has a dream-like quality and almost sounds a bit like Mazzy Star. Overall this is a good album. It’s ideal for listening to late at night after a hard day at work. It’s introspective lyrics and gentle guitar will soothe you for a while. It’s definitely not Nick Drake or Morrissey, but if you set aside these ambitious comparisons and take it solely on it’s own merits, it is a perfectly good album.

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