Ed Harcourt, hailed as the new Tom Waits, returns with Strangers, his fourth long player in as many years. For the most part it`s no great departure from the previous three outings, but that`s no bad thing considering Harcourt has always had the ability to write a decent tune--just like Waits or his British counterpart Nick Drake. There is a distinct up-beat feeling to this collection of songs, as opposed to the last three releases, though the darker more sinister side to Harcourt still remains. This Juxtaposition is evident on tracks such as "Born in the 70s", with its poppy rhythm and chorus hook that someone like Robbie Williams would turn into a number one. The Hammond organ of the title track, "Strangers", is reminiscent of that used by seventies bands such as Supertramp, and provides the song with an optimistic air. The simplicity of the arrangement of "The Trapdoor", reminds one of what Harcourt is best at: bittersweet melancholy. Harcourt`s talent as an expressive lyricist is made abundantly evident in these 12 songs. This coupled with his ability to write fine melodies, makes him one of the many contemporary British artists who are reminding us what music is all about: having a good tune that you can whistle. "4 stars... Can an artist be too talented for his own good? Multi-instrumentalist, multi-headed musical hydra, singer/song-summoner Ed Harcourt begs the question on his fourth studio effort, Strangers. From the opening guitar squelch that soars and cuts into the lead-off track, "The Storm Is Coming," it`s apparent that Harcourt is on a creative rage. He layers piano, guitars, and keyboards all the while crooning and wailing. Similarly, "Let Love Not Weigh Me Down" builds weeping violin and smashing guitars on top of plinky piano as Harcourt cries on about how being in love is to affirm all that is positive about being alive. He even gets around to updating the Police`s "Born in the Fifties" with "Born in the Seventies," a deceptively jaunty plea for older naysayers to give his generation a chance or get out of the way. The overall effect ends up sounding something like a reworking of "Under Pressure" featuring Ted Leo and Rufus Wainwright backed by the Flaming Lips. Needless to say, Harcourt`s exploding arteries of emotion can get a bit tiring as he insists on building the volcano of tension track after track....Strangers is a devastatingly accomplished album.
 Born In The 70`s - mp3
Let Love Not Weigh Me Down - mp3
The Music Box - mp3 | 
