A track which suffers from its Flawless Production
It's understandable for a reviewer to be very wary of a record prodcuer who puts themself infront of the microphone. The well-used mantra of "sticking to the day job" rings all too true when someone in the music industry who isn't performing well.... performs.
This time its the turn of Phil Harding who is famous for having produced or engineered tracks for the likes of the Clash and Killing JOke and seemingly the entire Stock/Aitken/Waterman back catalogue. To the serious music fan, the "hit" singles this man has been behind or involved with may be enough to write him off from the start but in the interest of fairness...
'Flawless Land', Harding's debut single, is a fairly catchy track. The man has a much younger-sounding voice than expected. However, that's not to say it sounds too "fresh" or clean, indeed there is a distinct gravelly quality there. The track is sweet enough, and dare I say it, there is something abit Leveller-ish about.
Surprisingly, what detracts from it is its production, it's over-done. Harding's passionate sounding voice coupled with the tracks simple guitat chops would probably work better if the track didn't sound so inoffensive. The passion with which Harding sings would be so much more believable if it didn't sound so un-threatening.
To summarise 'Flawless Land' needs to feel more raw and open to be taken as a serious effort rather than something so disposable.