Aqualung
(Verve Forecast)
Matt Hales (aka Aqualung, himself) writes intriguing music, just as any good singer/songwriter should. And Aqualung's newest attempt is decent, but in some parts it's almost boring - not a good sign. It still showcases the crackling yet likable high notes that are Hales' signature, yet something here is missing that was previously found in his other outings, Strange and Beautiful and Memory Man (both released on Columbia Records).
Words and Music begins fine with the jazzy "7 Keys," a heartbreaking song about someone's soul being so hard to crack, it takes seven keys. A highlight on the album is the second track, Aqualung's cover of Paul Simon's "Slip-Sliding," a catchy bit reworked here that should please Hales and Simon fans alike. The middle bit of Words and Music is where the album begins dragging and running together, but things pick back up with "When I Finally Get My Own Place." This song gets Hales back to the storytelling that makes him a compelling songwriter as the listener tries to guess who he wants to escape from - it's fun to listen and imagine. Finally, Words and Music ends with the wistful "Arrivals," a simple song with an honest performance. Lyrics like "send me over the ocean, I'll find you" let the mind wander as the song takes on the veneer of the perfect lullaby. A great ending, combined with the strong beginning, ultimately keeps the album afloat - it's a good one, in fact, for relaxation and contemplation.
Standout Tracks: "When I Finally Get My Own Place" "Slip-Sliding" MANDY RODGERS
