Trembling Blue Stars - The Last Holy Writer

Bobby Wratten's latest effort brings his dark, semi-psychedelic vision to an album of daring, colourful pop songs.

Posted Sunday, 3 June 2007 in

Trembling Blue Stars

Rating: 7

Longstanding songwriter Bobby Wratten's latest effort brings his dark, semi-psychedelic vision to an album of daring, colourful pop songs. Like some creepy circus ringmaster, opener 'By False Lights' announces the album with a suspenseful and solitary tone, its acoustic strum and electro-drone making for an urgent and compelling listen. The rest of the album frequently nods in the direction of 80s pop ('Sacred Music' and 'The Coldest Sky' smack of The Cure) with occasional retreats into melancholy ambience ('Schnee Gletscher Glas', 'Darker, Colder, Slower'). It's not all doom and gloom, though. Tracks like 'November Starlings' and 'Idyllwild' are pockets of uplifting, glorious tunecraft which make this album one of extremely diverse pickings. Interesting and captivating music.

Amy McGill

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