Bootleg Magazine
Nigel Clothier
Book of Days
United
Kingdom’s Nigel Clothier blends his across-the-pond sound with Americana, folk
and even manages a little country twang on Book of Days. Lyrically, and vocally,
he’s comparable to Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt - even Leonard Cohen. His
crooning vocals, which sound like a folksier Morrisey, lend an honesty and fit
in with the singer-songwriter ideal, “if you have something to say, you’d better
be the one saying it.”
Though the vocals aren’t incredible, Clothier’s voice is smooth and in no way
offensive to the ears. Following in folk tradition, lyrics combine poetics with
common vernacular so they’re both elevated and relatable at once.
The album is packed with clever single lines that grab your attention even
though the overall sound is very laid back and minimal.
The lyrics are strong but not particularly catchy, but the arrangements make
up for this, particularly on songs like ‘Come North’ which opens with acoustic
guitar grooving to an upbeat tambourine. The instrumentation is tight and there
are few flourishes to distract from the lyrics.
There are a few surprises here, like honky-tonk meets twelve bar blues
‘Exceptin’ a Beach,’ which stands out among the more toned-down tracks. The song
opens with a guitar shuffle, joined by rollicking piano and organ. ‘Whisper in
the Mouth’ boasts weepy steel guitar and works like a country ballad from the
40’s.
‘Little English’ is the album’s most dynamic, a lone organ ballad alluding to
‘putting English’ on a cue ball, closes the album tightly and with strong
imagery, Jackson Browne-like vocals and incredible backing harmonies.
‘It’s a Secret’ is a rich acoustic number and on opener ‘Here Tonight,’
Clothier sings one of his most clever and heartbreaking lines, “We watched the
film in silence, twenty feet apart/surprised you didn’t hush me, you must have
heard my heart.”
The songs are all well-arranged, and subtle nuances in the instrumentation
augment Clothier’s profound lyrics and delicate delivery.
The album moves at a slow pace as most of the songs are fairly short, telling
interesting and thoughtful stories. Book of Days not only requires undivided
attention, but it also warrants it, and is worth giving multiple listens.
Greg Newman
Bootleg Magazine
Wilmington, NC, USA
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