The Beat Surrender

I could sum this album up by saying it’s the sort of music that grows on you after a couple listens – not that it’s offensive to the ears the first time you hear it, it’s that it becomes more likeable each time you give it a go. Joe Volk’s voice is quite vulnerable, he sounds a bit Thom York-ish in parts – there’s a kind of a whispery, breathy quality to it.

This is an album based around the performer and his guitar, any other accompaniments compliment, rather than distracting from the music. I see this as a reflection of the high quality of the production of this album – I don’t know what kit they used, but the actual blend of instruments and guidance given to the musicians by the producer (Adrian Utley) certainly worked.

I don’t know how much radio play he’ll get with these songs – he probably won’t appeal to the main commercial stations, anyway. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing, although it won’t pay for the stretch limo, will it?