Pavement: Terror Twilight (Domino)
There's no denying the quirky genius of Pavement frontman Steve Malkmus, but there is some doubt about whether he utilises this genius to its fullest potential. Pavement's fifth album stumbles along jauntily through tracks such as Spit On A Stranger, You Are A Light and Platform Blues, never really committing to a particular idea, and never communicating those ideas with any real conviction. Malk's jokey, colloquial vocal style is endearing for a while, but, like some garrulous buddy who goes on about nothing in particular, his words soon cease to register on your consciousness. The album lifts suddenly with the last track, Carrot Rope, as if the band had suddenly let go of the nonchalant line and decided to leap for the pop summit instead. To their loyal fans, Pavement may still be a very special band, but to the casual passer-by, it's like walking in on some weird, disconnected conversation.
Freddie White: My Country (Little Don Records)
The "voice" returns, and with an album of original songs inspired by the lyrics and ideas of his late friend and brother-in-law Don O'Sullivan. It is never too late, but White has typically taken his time to find the muse that can provide him with the kind of quality songs that his rich, burnished voice demands and deserves. One or two of the 11 tracks sound dated, the overly urgent I Want It Now, for example. But generally this is a mature, reflective collection that is not without its lighter moments, as on the novelty song Dog. Declan Sinnott's warm production sets the right mood for songs like Smile, Talk To Me, The Fire Is Not Out and the excellent opening title track. Perhaps not the hippest material, but reassuring in its measured honesty.
Geri Halliwell: Schizophonic (EMI)The sleeve notes on Geri Halliwell's solo album define schizo- as "spilt" instead of "split", which might be an accurate description of the former Spice Girl. Halliwell certainly seems to have a tendency to spill her heart out on television. Her first solo setback came when her debut single, the Shirley Bassey pastiche Look At Me, was beaten to the Number One spot by Boyzone, and with songs on the album as nondescript as her new image, one wonders how long more Halliwell can keep our gaze fixed in her direction. Perhaps she should get together with that other little girl lost, Martine McCutcheon - between them they might just manage to bridge the ever-shrinking attention span.
