Nigel Clothier - 'Come North'
Nigel Clothier is the former frontman of Manchester rock group Sharp Practice. With his solo effort ‘Book of Days’ he’s indulged a passion for Americana, producing a collection that blends country with more straightforward folk.
First single ‘Come North’ is a strangely underwhelming affair, an upbeat little folk song about the joy of getting away from the hubbub and heading for the country. Indeed it probably sounds perhaps too cheerful for its own good, moving into the dark zone of twee-ness.
In contrast to its perky guitar and organs, B-side ‘Whisper In My Mouth’ is a more overtly ‘country’ song and probably works the best out of the two. Clothier doesn’t have a voice to write home about, a clear tenor without any genuinely distinctive characteristics aside from blandness. One can’t doubt his sincerity with these songs • it’s a pity that this isn’t enough to captivate.