Simple Times

Radin’s second album sees him steering a careful course between Simon & Garfunkel and Elliott Smith. His folk-based songs deal with friendships and falling in and out of love. Clocking in at under 30 minutes, this album is more accessible that his debut. ‘One Of Those Days’ has an upbeat feel, juxtaposed with Radin’s plaintive harmonised vocal, while ‘I’d Rather Be With You’ reflects an upbeat approach to life’s tribulations. Elsewhere, ‘Sky’ builds from a sparse opening into a smart, poppy track, with Meiko adding fey female vocals to sparkling effect. ‘Friend Like You’ is a beautifully simple Paul Simonesque outing, just vocal, guitar and piano, a simplicity repeated with ‘No Envy, No Fear’. The clichéd ‘Brand New Day’ is upbeat and optimistic and ‘You Got Growin’ Up To Do’ (with delicious harmonies from Patty Griffin) and ‘They Bring Me To You’ are even unabashedly folksy. ‘Vegetable Car’ leans more towards soft-rock, and spoils the mood somewhat, as does ‘We Are Okay’, which emphasises that Simon & Garfunkel comparison.