Chris Bradley - Voices

Having already undertaken a first class degree in Music, a littlest hobo-style trek through Europe with just his guitar, appearances on MTV Ukraine with former band The Frienzy, and answering a call to join the ranks of Aberfeldy from frontman Riley Briggs, the young Chris Bradley has already lived music for some time now, and has the potential to bring a spectrum of experience and technical ability to his debut solo release. The problem with Voices, however, is that Bradley lacks the cutting conviction which makes for a great record. Rather, he brushes generic folk, country and even rock, never really committing to or even fleetingly owning any genre. Album highlight Bring Your Trouble to the Mountain’s wandering man country-blues strides proudly in Phil Campbell territory, but beyond that - from Desperate Man’s lighters in the air like you just don’t care sentimentality, to the inbred-stomp of Another Man’s Wife - Bradley’s predominantly country-folk thing ultimately proves less dusky ode, more simple, straw-in-mouth knees-up. [Paul Neeson]