Fink - Distance and Time

What is it with dance labels muscling in on indie territories these days? As an acoustic singer/songwriter trading his wares on Ninja Tune, Fink certainly stands out from his peers. However, Distance and Time is no 'folktronica' middle-ground, but a rather more straightforward slice of folk and blues. Worryingly, it also comes with an urge that attempts to resurrect the - cast your minds back - 'new acoustic movement'. Unsurprisingly then, it's fairly innocuous background fodder that you can imagine soundtracking your future corporate coffee drinking moments. However, it's when Fink, in his own words, has "no choice but to go electric" on Blueberry Pancakes or closing track Little Blue Mailbox, that he is separated cleanly from the lazy journalistic comparisons bestowed on him of James Morrison and Paolo Nutini. But whilst it may be nice to think of those fly-by-night shysters as Pepsis to Fink's 'real-thing', Distance and Time just doesn't quite pass the taste challenge. [Darren Carle]