Andy James give a listen to the debut EP from fellow Eastbourner, Nick Webb:
Singer-songwriters with tales of woe are hardly in short supply these days, but South Coast-based musician Nick Webb has more than enough raw talent to stand out from the six string wielding masses. The ex-Capital frontman’s debut solo effort, Space to the Past, marks a departure from the sound of his former band who delivered the big melodies and choruses with commensurate success, but never strayed a million miles from the well-trodden path of bands like U2.
Released on the artist’s own Stop Thinking Records label, this debut EP offers a wholly more interesting sound - thanks in part to some accomplished production from ex-Capital drummer Daniel Thorpe who weaves greater layers of complexity into the five tracks. Recorded over what Webb describes as a turbulent two-year period, the collection works well as a whole - opening with the dreamlike Starlings in Flight and “a month seeing the dead” and ending with the quiet belief and gentle farewell of A Night in New York Gone. In between, he explores themes of love and loss, with standout track Curtailed Dream.
In common with songwriters like Guy Garvey, Webb’s lyrics have a strong visual element which connect with the listener - and his distinctive voice is assured and earthy and well-suited to project songs which express both weariness and optimism. It all points to a very bright future.
Review by Andy James.
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