Across The Pond

After wooing us with a series of low key shows the former Mercury Rev keyboardist finally cements his solo foray with an engaging debut album. Recorded in three months in David Gray’s South London studio, Across The Pond is direct and sparse while possessing a loving warmth. The recently composed ‘Two Moons’ demonstrates Snyder’s newly found studio savvy – soft guitar pop imbued with magic and wonder. ‘Up The River’ and ‘Leaves Of Grass’ will be familiar to anyone who attended Adam’s solo shows. These versions are perfectly realised, embellished with loose, languorous percussion from former Texas sticksman Richard Hynd.

‘On Hold’ displays a rawer country-tainted edge, punctuated by howling harmonicas and hilarious lyrics; “There is a symphony in a young man’s heart which the world will never know/and there’s this shit they call music when they put you on hold.”

‘Mike And Me’, which debuted on the first Volta Sounds 7”, is a touching and amusing exercise in non-sentimental childhood nostalgia. The same lyrical thread continues on the yelping blues of ‘Bare Bones’, the touching toast ‘To All My Friends’ and the extremely poignant ‘Daddy’s Song.’ ‘Actress In An Airport’ concludes the collection on another high note, embarking on a universal flight of fancy. “Y’know the world feels so close/I don’t feel like a ghost/I feel like I’m going somewhere/I feel like I’m already there.”

Adam Snyder is definitely on his way somewhere, and his first studio travelogue could be the starting point for one hell of a journey.