5 SONGS

'5 Songs' is in fact a fairly respectable collection of six pleasant songs, a pastiche of alt-country, folk-rock and gentle pop. As the first outing for what is fast becoming a very important contemporary prog band, THE DECEMBERISTS' debut is by no means essential, and will not trouble your playlist more than a couple of times.

The patented DECEMBERISTS sound is here: accordion, steel guitar, COLIN MELOY's unique voice and delivery. The subject matter is present: careful observation of the small things of life (Apology Song), personal experiences (My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist) and things nautical (Oceanside). So what's missing? The twists that turn mundane material into something grand, that's what. Later DECEMBERISTS material offers sharper observations, more complex music and arrangements, and significantly more challenging concepts. This is just too straightforward to capture the imagination.

There are hints that MELOY has something greater in mind. The cover suggests that words are important to him, and the song titles imply the sense of quirky, twisted black humour we see more of later. But hints are not enough to encourage the casual progger to purchase this album.

Every musician has to start somewhere. Some artists are forever defined by their magnificent debuts (MIKE OLDFIELD, for example) while others use them as stepping stones to something greater. Happily, THE DECEMBERISTS are in the latter category. The best thing about this release is the promise it shows, but there is nothing here to compel you to return.