Gary Page - Folk Devils and Moral Panic

Having been doing the live circuit for a while now, as well as performing as part of David Ford's live band, Eastbourne's Gary Page releases his debut album of classically structured, largely acoustic pop songs.

With guest appearances from Ford, The Late Greats' Max Arnold and Stacey Pottinger from Hiding With Girls/District, the self-recorded and produced Folk Devils... is lyrically intelligent in a colloquial way, mixing introspective musings (Easily Unimpressed) with conspiracy theories (Fake Lunar Landing) and pot-shots at New Wave-loving scenesters (In Love With York). What is most impressive though is the way in which Page unlocks the songs with such utterly accessible tunes. You won't find the unexpected here - no ten-minute jazz noodling or mad acid house outros (which is perhaps surprising considering his adoration of Super Furry Animals) but you will get grown-up, acoustic indie-pop influenced by a love of the likes of Crowded House and Teenage Fanclub.

The quality of the record is such that standout live-favourite, the singalong anthem Breathing In, is not the obvious jewel in the album's crown. However, tucked away without fuss or fanfare at track three, it is still a pleasing end to an opening trilogy of pop songs. Next up, Portland Sky is the real gem on Folk Devils..., a nicely understated tribute to Elliot Smith with a sweet, gentle melody tiptoeing through delicate keys. This is indicative of Page - his songs - even the ones with the big Beach Boys choruses - have a pleasingly ruminative, slightly downbeat tone to them.

If you like your music with zero pretence but with plenty of honesty, then you should give Folk Devils and Moral Panic a listen. The good news for you is that you can download the whole thing for free by clicking on this link. And no, that's not me encouraging you to illegally download (especially after that chick got fined about $2m for uploading a handful of Beyonce tracks), but a free download link straight from the artist himself.