Reviews

Amazing! What a great album. Here's someone who's definitely come of age and found himself and his place in music. Neil Ivison & The Misers and 'The Long Walk Home' has quality etched right through it. It's possibly the best album I've heard so far this year - and that's the truth!

Now, I've seen Ivison chop and change over the last five or six years and although he was constantly impressive, there always seemed to be something missing. Ivison's earlier incarnations sounded like they would always be 'unsigned'! Here, with 'The Long Walk Home', Ivison's finally pulled it together and this sounds like it's going places.

I think that previously Ivison put too much emphasis on his guitar playing and Kelly Jones-esque voice - nowt wrong with that, except that I always found myself thinking of other bands when I should've been thinking Neil Ivison. Here, Ivison growls out his vocals, simply as Neil Ivison, with the sort of on-the-edge quality that singing/vocal coaches would probably say, "Hey - you can't do that!". But you can - and he does; Ivison's vocal delivery is absolutely stunning, much more persuasive and interesting. And with less guitar to interfere, he's really got the whole thing nailed.

So, Ivison's moved on up several notches here, and 'The Long Walk Home' not only demonstrates Ivison's performing talents, but it clearly shows his writing skills. This album is easily his best work to date compositionally - ten wonderfully mature songs that sound honest, superbly crafted and well considered.

I really am finding it hard to pick out any down-sides to this fabulous album. Oh, hang on a minute - Ivison has neglected to list his 'Misers', and give them proper credit for their superb performances here. There, I knew there'd be something to pick him up on!

You can listen to all of the latest music from across the two counties on the Friday Session Introducing... every week from 7pm, on BBC Hereford & Worcester.