Richard Hawley: Lady's Bridge (Mute)
release: October 2, 2007
style: solid full lite rock ballads
similar: Kid Silver, Divine Comedy, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett
rating: ****
Solo record after solo record, Pulp guitarist Richard Hawley has been phenomenal. Lady's Bridge is another triumphant work, especially when his full, deep vocal joins an orchestra. Hawley's song are for people that love great, timeless music without needing to remember the melody. He writes ballads that Richard Ashcroft dreams of putting in his own solo material. When he's not singing ballads, Hawley adapts to a Smiths "Vicar in a Tutu"-like rockabilly swing. Get jealous. -Kenyon