First listen to RT's new album "Ship To Shore", released (finally !) today.
Despite the slightly dodgy artwork (generic fisherman in high-vis, supposed to look a bit like Richard but doesn't really - mind you, Richard's albums aren't generally bought for their artwork), it's reassuringly business as usual from the great man.
His guitar work is as nimble as ever, his new material is very listenable - if anything, the songs on this album sound slightly more mainstream and commercial than some of his recent work - but that's obviously no bad thing. Looking forward to seeing him play this stuff live next week, the tour's been getting rave reviews.
Exactly the problem for me. It sounds like 'just another RT album'. Of course, it's not awful - very far from it, but you think you've heard every single track on it before, and you sort of have. 6/10 and I'm being generous.
Just giving it a first spin and I sort of agree with you. It will of course need several plays to really settle in and there are obviously some good songs here but it does feel as though RT's 21st century output has become a bit generic. The last albums I really connected with were
Mock Tudor and
The Old Kit Bag, though
Dream Attic was conceptually interesting and
Sweet Warrior &
Still had moments.
It is at least less disappointing than the new Crowded House album wherein Neil Finn continues the struggle to write a memorable melody which has been ongoing since his third solo album (after writing dozens of them in the preceding 20 years).
