Album Review

Eric Ness –

• 22nd Nov 2009

To succeed as a male singer-songwriter in this tough climate takes originality and talent in spades. Pleased to conclude then that Eric Ness wants for neither, judging by this neat little EP. The London-based songsmith has gone for quality over quantity with three tracks, all of which are very listenable.

‘All the things you are’ is a good way to start; a caffienated acoustic romp with the jumpy energy of pop-punk and embellished with brass. ‘Valentine’ is another pearl, a funky sound recalling Newton Faulkner, with a blues-rock edge. And then there’s ‘Supah glue’, a head-nodding quirkfest that nonetheless boasts a very satisfying chorus. What do these three songs tell us about Ness? Melodically and lyrically, he’s unique, ballsy; as a songwriter he’s infinitely more interesting than your average acoustic-singer.