Latest releases reviewed

JOHN PRINE
Fair & Square Oh Boy Records
****

For his first album of original songs in nine years, and also his first since he overcame cancer in the neck, American country/ folk legend John Prine could be forgiven for sounding a mite relieved. After all, he is alive and back writing and singing songs, albeit with an even more rasping voice. So the tone is one of love-touched contentment tinted by his deliciously wry sense of humour and the occasional barbed reference to George W and people and places who don't measure up - including himself. Marriage to Irishwoman Fiona Whelan and the birth of their two children has smoothed out Prine's mildly wilder side, but his deceptively inventive way with a cliche and his ability to create warm country/folk/ bluesy melodies remain constant. Prine is an American original - funny, observant, clued-in, understated - and his return is most welcome. www.ohboy.com

Joe Breen

CLEM SNIDE
End of Love Fargo
****

"I woke up to the sound of German hip-hop in my head, a great unholy clatter quickly filling me with dread". How could anybody resist someone who sings a line like this with deep anguish? Clem Snide is a band, not a person, but without songwriter and singer Eef Barzelay Clem Snide would be nothing at all. Eef's winning, word-clever, indie-influenced country-ish songs of love, travel, religion, Lucille Ball and personal crisis are funny, touching and insightful in a very peculiar way - the Barzelay way. Moving from Brooklyn to Nashville has not modified his musical or lyrical landscape. If anything his way with matters quirky, from arrangements to lyrics, is even more apparent. All of which combines to make End of Love Clem Snide's most persuasive set to date. www.clemsnide.com

Joe Breen