Former Lives

Best known to the music press as the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and the gossip columnists as Zooey Deschanel’s former husband, Ben Gibbard is perenially pegged as a sad singer. His debut solo album sees him successfully cast aside his former personal and artistic personae, to create a coherent and pleasing outing in dreamy Americana.
The opening track ‘Shepard’s Bush Lullaby’ is a fairly pointless piece of acapella, but once you get past that blip there’s plenty to luxuriate in. A clear stand-out is a stirring duet with Aimee Mann entitled ‘Bigger Thirteen’ (recorded in the past by Wilco and Elliot Smith). The Doors’ doomed frontman is represented by no less than three songs, including Brecht’s ‘Alabama Song’ (no stranger to Lukeman’s set over the years), ‘The Crystal Ship’ and an epic take on ‘Touch Me’.
It goes without saying that Lukeman’s powerful voice and dramatic showmanship brings out the very best in these songs, while the musical backing (including brass and strings) makes for a thrilling ride. Now: to see it live!
COLM O’HARE