Album Review

Ethan J Perry – Many Years Ago

• 9th Nov 2007

Originating from Seattle and sounding like a depressed Nick Drake in a momentarily upbeat mood, Perry is always going to be a hard sell, but ‘Many Years Ago’ in particular shows there’s something worth taking notice of here.

His nasally tones combine well with the classic musical themes of loving and losing and occasionally Perry reminds of solo Lou Reed. These songs are certainly growers and while initially they may sound simplistic and mundane they grow to sound refreshing and worthwhile.

Occasional moments of hilarious lyrical brilliance slip out, (“She was always by my side, and gave me rides, in her Volvo”) although maybe they’re intended to be serious, we don’t know and that’s part of the problem with Perry. Is he taking himself too seriously or is a solo master class in subtle self-mockery?

He’s mastered all of the components of the classic singer-songwriter except, unfortunately, for the songs themselves. If one day he can find his ‘Black Eyed Dog’ then perhaps Ethan J Perry stands a chance