Jon Redfern
Photo: Hugo Morris link
What Else But Love? - Jon Redfern Album Review
Album Review
I haven't heard much of Redfern before today and first impressions remind me of Clarkesville and Jack Johnson but even more laid back. Sometimes the track order can determine where an album is going and the opener here is hardly a stunner. Instead, single "Part Of You" would make a great starter - yet it is track 2 by which time I just wasn't convinced. Still, "Future Lies" and "Play Of Fear" are further forays into agreeable strum-drum without pushing any boundaries but there is little else to convince me this is a long-lasting album made for future plays. One thing that does save it from the dumper - the attention to detail with the arrangements. See "Troubadour" for an example - a modern folk song that blends melancholy and meaning with a heartfelt melody. "Forever Bound" sounds good too in a languid beach-comber way. But the album just lacks spark and Jon's voice is polite without ever adding any bite. An OK set of mellow singer-songwriter material that hints at higher levels.
