Geoff Gibbons - Sentimental Maniac (2005)
Geoff Gibbons has certainly paid his dues, working both as a solo artist and a member of Silverlode. His latest solo release is an impressive collection of original songs that showcase the raw tallent this young man possesses. There is a definate liniage with the folk oriented roots rock of the 60's, but it's not retro. Gibbons has dusted it off, polished it up and bought it into the twenty first century. His musical roots are deeply steeped in the sounds of Don McLean, Neil Young and Cat Stevens, and his skill as a songwriter is equal to any of them!
To the casual listener Sentimental Maniac is a pleasing assortment of seemingly radio tunes, with one traditional song thrown in for good measure, but if you listen closely you will find that there is an underlying theme in the subject matter of the music. I'm not saying this is a concept album (far from it), but there is a definate feel to the music as the album progresses, that takes the listener from darkness to light, through the tone and subject matter of the music. It is a path so subtle, so brilliantly hidden in the bushes, that one doesn't realize he is walking on it, until he has reached the end.
The album is so beautifully done that my first impulse after hearing it for the first time was to go back, and walk through it all again. From a songwriters perspective, this is very fine work. Each song is crafted with a care and consideration that leaves the listening breathless. From a production standpoint, this album is flawless. Gibbons surrounded himself with a stellar collection of musicians hellbent on producing an memorable album. With Sentimental Maniac, it's mission accomplished!
A superb solo effort by an intreaging young singer/songwriter, Sentimental Maniac is bound to be come a favorite of all those music fans out there that love finely crafted songs.
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