Songdog - A Wretched Sinner's Song

If the rumours are true, and Bruce Springsteen is a fan of Songdog, there's no doubt that 'the Boss' will be impressed at the way singer Lyndon Morgans has emulated his own brand of emotive storytelling. Comparisons with Leonard Cohen's stripped back stories of real life cannot be understated, with Morgans' poetic tales never smothered by their folky, mostly acoustic accompaniment. A Wretched Sinner's Song is divided into two acts, loosely based on the concept of love. For the most part, Morgans' dark tales truly capture the emotion of numerous characters embroiled in various trysts. However, far too often his lofty lyrical ambitions cross into a world of whimsical pompousness. The forced quiver in his voice, initially compelling, becomes increasingly cloying. With a touch more restraint, Songdog could truly be capable of creating music that would come close to anything produced by their illustrious peers. [Pete Ballantine]