Ben TD – Tiny Movements (Lo-Five Records)

The most immediately striking element on Australian-born, singer/songwriter Ben TD’s debut album is his voice. Through the album’s 13 tracks it is, variously, mellow, exuberant and on the stand-out Books and Boats beautifully soaring. Ironically, during a period where self -conscious quirkiness is almost de rigueur for every new artist, TD possesses a refreshingly unaffected delivery that works well on the catchy Leaves and Shoes Too Small.

However, despite Tiny Movements’ virtues I wasn’t quite sold on it. Although the album is thoughtfully produced and pleasant throughout, there isn’t really a distinctive, killer melody. With regards to the lyrics, they aren’t bad, but there is little attempt to construct a narrative with a strong sense of time and place on any of the songs. While this is hardly an impediment to popular success (wow many records have Coldplay sold?), it is the test by which singer/songwriters are judged. Perhaps I am being unfair here. Miserable curmudgeon that I am, this type of laid-back, wistfully melancholic, folk would never really my cup of tea. Even so, there are many intelligent people who will enjoy this album and Ben TD deserves to do well.

Eddie Hoo