Well, well. Where did this one suddenly spring from? Back in the dark days of the late-ish 1980s, The Christians seemed virtually omnipresent in the charts with their classy Scouse pop/soul and with big Garry Christian's smouldering presence leading the way, they seemed to have the charts all sewn up there for a while.
God knows what Garry's been up to since The Christians crashed and burned during the 1990s, but whatever, this reappearance ( I'm always hesitant to use terms like "comeback") with solo foray "How Does It Feel" is a welcome, if unexpected, return.
And certainly most of the fare Christian serves up here suggests the years working with Henry Priestman have rubbed off, melody-wise, as the twelve songs here retain a largely effortless knack with pop hooks and easy, soulful choruses. Indeed, in many ways it takes up from where The Christians left off and won't disappoint anyone who previously had a soft spot for the band.
It's not a seamless listen by any means, but there are several real gems here. For starters, the album opens and closes with two of its' finest moments in "You Make Me Believe" and "Send Me A Letter". The former sweeps in via a huge, Walker Brothers-style string arrangement and introduces an impressive, modern soul sound, while the latter is the album's massive production number, dripping with grand piano and massed Gospel choir vocals. Yes, it's big and wears its' heart on its' sleeve, but it's also clever and very effective.
In between, Big Gaz swans from funky pillar to soulful post with variable results. When it's good, as on plaintive, upbeat numbers like "Key To My Heart" or the hiss-y, swampy beats, warm organ and descriptive baritone guitar of the title track it's very fine indeed. On these tracks - and the regretful "You Will Find Your Way" where the vocal gets shadowed by lovely teardrop slide guitar - Garry sounds entirely at home and happy to lean into some decently rounded arrangements.
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However, there are several occasions when the album really doesn't cut the Colman's. "Another Goodbye", for instance, has Garry giving it some dubious Louis Armstrong over cocktail piano and it's wince-worthy, as is "Idolize", which is catchy enough but forced and forgettable. "So Beautiful", meanwhile is just downright drippy, despite the obviously earnest sentiments.
Nonetheless, "How Does It Feel" is admirably heartfelt stuff. At times - like on the acoustic waltz "You Tell Me I'm Crazy" - Garry's self-doubt and honesty is affectingly tangible, while he also remembers to get us up and dancing on "It's Summrtime": the phonkiest offering here by far and reminiscent of Sly Stone and Earth, Wind & Fire. It even brings a clavinet to the studio, which is usually a vote getter to these ears.
"Surprise is always good for me," croons Gaz with satisfaction on "I Want It All". He's not wrong either as "How Does It Feel" pulls off enough classy pop tricks to stake its' claim. Good to have you back, big man.
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