Solomon’s Seal
The Sea, The Sea
Self-Released
Former Minibar frontman Simon Petty has swapped his trademark upbeat Americana sound for a more low-key, acoustic folk approach on his superb debut solo record The Sea, The Sea.
Produced by Seth Rothschild, the album shimmers with atmosphere thanks to Petty’s deeply affecting compositions, husky voice, and sparse instrumentation.
The piano-led “Trick of the Light” has a real Paul Weller vibe and is the start of what is a quality record from first bar to last. “State of the Union Address” demonstrates that an all-acoustic sound suits Petty’s voice perfectly as his wistful vocals intertwine with the arpeggio guitar notes, while “I Built a Fire” is another song in which Petty bares his soul in a wonderfully cathartic manner.
The excellent “In The Strings” and “Sleeping In The Car” have echoes of the likes of Elliott Smith and Steve Reynolds with their haunting melodies and refrains, but the stand-out track of an almost flawless record is the beautiful “Diamond in the Sand,” which describes two lovers looking for a lost ring at the bottom of the ocean.
Solomon’s Seal may be enigmatic by name, but this wonderful collection of songs proves there’s no mystery about what makes The Sea, The Sea such an unmitigated triumph.
Solomon’s Seal: http://www.solomonssealmusic.com
