Steven Adams, formerly of The Broken Family Band, has taken the recording of this album at his own pace. Refusing to be rushed, he enjoyed sojourns in Wales, where he was born, and for a period worked alone in the French countryside.
Having released albums as ‘Singing Adams’, ‘Drops’ is the first to be credited to him as a solo artist since 2016’s Old Magick and his first new music since 2020. Adams says: “This record is about time and bewilderment and trying to make sense of things."
The end result amounts to eleven songs of slacker rock with a hint of folksiness. There is no big band sound nor celebratory choruses.
Original tunes were laid down with drummer Daniel Fordham and bassist David Stewart and this was followed up with recording sessions in East London using the services of Laurie Earle on guitar and Michael Wood on keyboards.
Pas Moi suggests an identity crisis hit at some stage of proceedings with lines like “I’m not me” and “I’m working on a saviour complex.” In Holiday Casual Adams sings “You take yourself with you wherever you go.”
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But despite being burdened by Fascists, the title I Tried To Keep It Light is a kind of note to self which contains the repeated affirmation “Worse things could happen.”
The record ends with the low key Cheap Wine Sad Face, a song that takes a philosophical stance on the mistakes we make.
The determination to look on the bright side of life is implicit.
Album link on Bandcamp
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