This album was produced in Chicago by ex-Wilco multi instrumentalist LeRoy Bach and this association seems to have helped direct Ryley Walker's pastoral, retro leanings towards a more modern, worldly style.
The Halfwit In Me is a stunning opening track full of jazzy sophistication that bristles with vitality. There's something of Tim Buckley or Jim O'Rourke in the way it takes pure pop rhythms into unexpected and exciting territory.
The other seven tracks are less immediately brilliant but the subtlety and quiet complexity of the song writing is such that this is not one of those albums you will 'get' in one hearing.
The meandering style invites the listener to hold back from hasty judgements and gives these multifaceted songs chance to breathe and slowly work their magic.
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In saying that, calling a song Sullen Mind is probably an accurate comment on Walker's character so you will still find evidence of the Van Morrison style introspection which featured so prominently on his previous album, Primrose Green.
This sullenness is certainly present on the astral meditations of Age Old Tale. This eight-minute track closes the album on a bit of a low but doesn't detract from what is a hugely impressive album from an artist who is moving from strength to strength.
Ryley Walker's website
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