When I received a preview copy of a new release from v92dvg it was great to hear new music from this Lincoln based (but international) independent label. David Goffin plays all the instruments on “A man of Few Words” beautifully (note from David: apart from drums on all and bass on two songs) and as a composer of great hooks he proves once again that he is pushing his boundaries and loving it. The album is a cohesive piece of work littered with different themes throughout.
David is a great film buff and so it is not surprising to me he has created a thematic score to his cinematic landscapes. Each track has an individual style and feel bringing wonderful scenes and images to mind; some euphoric, some more dreamy with hooks and fills; skilfully played with harmony, energy, emotion and a technical ability (many other guitarists I know would envy). Each track took me on a very different journey into what is possible for a guitarist. After being “gob smacked” by the transformation I especially got carried away by the dream-like quality of Ted's Adventure and Balade (reminiscent of The Durutti Column); Spring in the Garden and Cafe Fear also had immediate appeal. These initial highlights pulled me in but like any great relationship with anything the more I spent the time with these songs the more I learned to love them all as I got lost in David Goffins musical world. The textures and complexity of each piece are signatures of a great ability to produce a recording so full of substance and drama throughout.
Prior to writing this review I have had the recordings playing throughout my house constantly. It’s an album you can enjoy as you absorb it in its entirety several times; anticipating the next piece to take you into another sense of feeling. It is a beautiful, rich recording, uplifting throughout and in places its epic score shows a very different approach since his last solo work. Words are not necessarily required to relay the themes and messages of the songs but overall, they are beautiful in their nature. Where Fluoxetine (a previous release) may have been his cry for help, this album is a louder cry, a cry of joy and sounds of a musician loving his craft, his skills as a musician and creator of the sounds and what he does.
Glenn D C Gibbs