TIM BUCKLEY

So here we have Tim Buckley's self-titled debut - not the kind of thing one would expect to find on ProgArchives. But since it's here, and given the magnitude of the name Buckley, one might as well give it a spin. The edition I'm reviewing comes with Tim's sophomore album, Goodbye and Hello, in the same disc. The booklet, while not vast, includes complete artwork and credits for the albums, as well as a critical review of the period in Tim's career when they were recorded.

There are very few highlight, as most of the tracks sound too similar, relying too much on the work of the rhythmic section of bass, drums and a mostly discrete guitar. Musically the only true good aspects to stand out are some of the keyboards and, of course, Tim's sometimes overtly dramatic teenager vocals. Some songs work rather well and can remain stuck in your head for a while (like the beautiful Song Of The Magician, Song For Janie and the out-of-place soulful rocker Understand Your Man) but the rest is quite simply all too forgettable.

If you wish to find out why Tim Buckley is listed in ProgArchives, the first few albums are not the place to look. You do, however, get some soulful songwriting walking the line between Dylan's folk and beat-pop, but nothing to be excited about.