Weeksweeksweeks, released 13/04/2009.

Let’s get something out of the way straight off.  I don’t know whether this man changed the spelling of his first name in order to avoid people thinking that one of the brains behind The Day Today and Brass Eye has given it all up in order to start a recording career.  Sorry.  He’s Australian, I don’t know if that helps.

I do have some useful information anyway, though, and the controversial one’s namesake is also with a measure of talent.  It is easy to sound professional these days (to the point where most production is pretty homogenous) and although the first couple of tracks here (“So Beautiful”, “I Think We Both Know”) have that feel, they are melancholy and glum enough to sound soulful and real.  This is helped by Morris’ voice, which is strong, deep and occasionally gruff in a way reminiscent of Ray Lamontagne (if not as immediately ear-catching).  Things become a little bit uninteresting in the middle of the album, like a depressed Jack Johnson, in the form of “Other Side” and “Old Shirt”, but thankfully the second half of the album offers some more diverting sounds.  “The Sun” is slow and stately before building to a grand climax while “Little Light” takes the sadness of earlier and adds a little hope, letting us see the sincere artist behind the Radio 2 sheen.

Lyrically things do get a little bit Flight of the Conchords at points (“you are my life support, I pray you’ll never pull out the cord”) but then maybe that’s just how clever FOTC are.  Kris Morris has produced a debut album that shows he has talent and a bit of soul, it’s just all a bit safe and I feel like Ken Bruce is going to start talking at the end of each track.  If that’s your bag then go for it.  I’m not sure it’s quite mine, but hey, at least it’s not Razorlight.

Posted In Album Reviews, Apr 13 2009. Words - Martin