Carter, Colin: ONE

Best known as the lead vocalist for prog icons Flash, featuring guitar legend Peter Banks of Yes, Colin Carter has, decades down the line, decided to release his solo debut outing. Inspired by a move from the big cities to the coastal range of Oregon, 15 miles from the Pacific, where the maritime climate, cliffs and coastline reminded him of the Cornish coast in the UK, Carter set about writing and recording music for his own pleasure. Eventually, with material building up, the singer, who also handles most of the guitar, bass, synths, drums and percussion, decided it was time to release his new tunes and ONE was born. Occasionally augmented by Clint Bahr on bass, mandolin and synth, Doro Reeves on piano, organ and accordion and Mike Hough, Tom Beckstrom and Michael Cardell on drums, Carter has created a gentle, eclectic, wide ranging collection of rock that feels intentionally out of its time.

With his vocal style easy and unforced, that much of the music also falls into a similar mode can leave things a little reserved in places, the drama of “Highway Oblivion� smoothed and unthreatening, while “Cafe Elektric� turns into questionable nightclub swing. When things are infused with a little impetus, “Underground� can cause the blood to pump, the guitars showing a little more purpose as the drums try their best to power along. But, with much of the approach elsewhere pensive and relying on Carter’s expressive, if not always engaging vocals, “Munich Song� becomes something of a trial as its pace seems to slow with almost every beat. Although it’s a positive highlight when held up against the meandering sea shanty of “Tortuga Tonight�, a song that would get run aground by the merest whisper of wind in its rigging, so listless is its attack.

Personally I find much of the rest of ONE to fall into a similar trap. Carter’s new compositions hitting like that of a band in a bar where you’d happily listen along as you sup away at your pint, before quickly deciding to see what excitement lay elsewhere. ONE is an honest and heartfelt collection but that doesn’t mean to say that it’s one that captures the imagination, or invigorates the senses.

Track Listing
1. Wings
2. Reachin' Out
3. Highway to Oblivion
4. Star Crossed
5. Cafe Elektric
6. Underground
7. Munich Song
8. Obsession
9. Tortuga Tonight
10. Sleeping with You

Added: September 7th 2018
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Colin Carter at facebook
Hits: 1150
Language: english

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