Richard Thompson
Mock Tudor
(Capitol)
Thompson hasn't shot many sparks since
1988's Amnesia, and the worst of his '90s output has at times even suggested an artist
whose craft has devolved into a day job. But Industry, '97's overlooked collaboration
with Danny Thompson, bit more than it barked, and here the improvement continues. "The
Sights and Sounds of London Town" is the kind of ambitious story-song Thompson rarely
attempts anymore, "Bathsheba Smiles" is his most memorable tune in years, and at
least four or five more tracks here would do credit to any of Thompson's better solo albums.
Unfortunately, the man's weakness as a closer continues; the last two cuts are the kind of
solipsistic minor-key dirges he falls into all too easily these days. But that doesn't mean
this won't find its way into my CD player in the years to come. And it doesn't mean I'm not
increasingly interested in where Thompson might go next.
Rating: 7
Artists l Essays l The List l Sites & Sounds
New Issue l Best Of l Fave Links l About Us