Jim McCulloch's Blog

The Bluesbunny Music Reviews

Green Peppers
Adventures in the Slipstream
Neon Tetra Records
2008
This third album from Glasgow guitarist Jim McCulloch portrays an
increased confidence and, at times, a brashness that may reflect the
experience he's gained from writing and performing with the acclaimed
Isobel Campbell/Mark Lanegan collaboration over the past few years.
Although there are no major changes from his sun dappled folksy style
there is a bit more muscle in the guitar contributions and general
arrangements, the songwriting is more assured and the production is at
times quite sublime. A major change however is the decision to have 8 of
the 11 songs sung by female vocalists, perhaps recognising his own vocal
limitations (previous albums having benefited from contributions from Ms
Campbell).  No Ms Campbell on this album then but she is more than ably
replaced by a quartet of Glaswegian based singers. Best known of the
four is Emma Pollock but the other three (Melanie Whittle of The Hermit
Crabs, Sandra Belda of California Snow Story and Anna Sheard of
Snowgoose) more than compensate for the lack of Ms Campbell's presence.

The album see saws between California inspired sunshine pop and a more
pastoral temperate folk sound but the bossa nova style of the otherwise
fine "Summer Was His Name" is, in these surroundings, slightly out of
place.

McCulloch sings lead on "The Liars" stretching his voice until it almost
resembles a rural Robert Wyatt. Here a simple guitar melody supports his
vocals as Emma Pollock harmonises. Towards the end an angry electric
guitar outburst dramatically alters the mood but an excellent little
song nonetheless.  Of the other folkier songs "The Shell Song" opens
(and closes with an instrumental reprise) the album. Melodica and
acoustic guitar adorn a simple lyric that might reflect McCulloch's new
found confidence as Pollock sings "It's all right, it's OK, I'm coming
out my shell, just trying to find a way." "The Apple Sun," sung by Anna
Sheard, is so reminiscent of early Joni Mitchell it's spooky, however it
must be said that it would not be out of place on one of Joni's albums,
such is the quality here. Finally, "In Time" again sung by Sheard has
the makings of a classic folksong and sounds like it has been plucked
from an earlier time.

The sunnier, rockier songs just add to the sum total here. Echoes of
Crosby, and Nash inform "Golden Geese" and "Carry Me Away" which is a
joyous romp with a winning chorus. "So Near So Far," propelled by some
nice guitar licks and organ worms its way into your brain. Best of all
is the second song on the album, "Angel Angel" which with chunky guitar,
dreamlike production and Melanie Whittle's oh so cool vocals recalls
classic sixties Hollywood psychedelic pop productions and induces
goosebumps in this listener.

Crammed into a little over 36 minutes this is an almost perfect listen.
With the bookended Shell Song(s) stick it on repeat and surround
yourself with summer.



Review by:   Bluesbunny Hop



Rating

5/5