The Beat Surrender

Following on from his well received second album, Ian Passey (aka The Humdrum Express) is feeling in generous mood and he’s every reason to!

That second long player, ‘Little Victories’ got to an impressive number 3 in the unsigned album chart, based on independent record shop sales at Fopp, amongst others. While a successful appearance at Glastonbury’s Banyan Tree Café went down well with everyone present.

The hard work and quirky sounds are starting to pay off so he’s giving this four track EP away totally free. Yes, you heard me correctly but they will inevitably run out so get over to his Myspace and instructions are all there.

‘What You See’ opens the disc and is a good introduction to the man and his music. The Smiths are rooted in some of his work and are an obvious inspiration here. It all skips along with a tinny, jangly feel recalling the great Johnny Marr while the emollient organ completes an unusual mix that fits nicer than it probably should.

‘It’s Nearly Time (To Ditch My Old Friends)’ is taken from ‘Little Victories’ and it still sounds good as the only track not recorded for this EP. The album was reviewed on these very pages a few issues back, even making the cover. Its well worth a listen and this particular track carries that D.I.Y feel which has become his trademark. The simple lyrics of high aspirations and their consequences are delivered with a dry humour and clever wordplay that sways along to a heart-beating drum.

Next up, the brass comes out with piping trumpets and a (hot)stepping vibe on the Ska jig ‘Out With The In Crowd’. It has a real midland beat feel and could be the first danceable thing he’s done? ‘Interactive 07’ is definitely not and lets an otherwise pleasant and charming disc down. Light continuous key stabs accompany his basic descriptions of boring tech heads that struggle with human interaction and would prefer to spend all day surfing, maybe texting if slightly more adventurous!

“Interactive, that’s the key / making up for a personality”.

He’s currently making plans to get out on the road and in the past has played with Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, another artist who incorporates daily observations into his work and The Wombats, who are currently riding the fame wave quite high at the moment, for now!

So until The Express visits a town near you, get your hands on a copy of this. After all, it’s not always that the good things in life are free!