I always need a really great new record to get my music reviewing juices pumping again at this time of year. And this is it! Phil Campbell came to my attention when my son handed me a music magazine cover-mount CD back in 1997 which included a song by Campbell called ‘Hope, Faith And You.’ I was blown away by the song and the performance, eventually acquiring the full album FRESH NEW LIFE a few weeks later. It was quickly added to my list of favourite/best albums ever. A year later I starting writing about music and tried to trace Campbell but to no avail – he had disappeared along with his fabulous album. It took me nearly three years to find him playing with his band White Buffalo and he told me his story during an interview that took place soon after I found him. White Buffalo released two superb albums before the band split and Campbell eventually recommenced a solo career playing many gigs in and around London. This is therefore his second solo album and in my book it’s set to join his first album in my list of best ever albums.

Amongst the burgeoning list of ‘singer/songwriters’ Campbell enjoys a unique position with his very distinctive, expressive vocal style, and wonderful song writing. In addition, as this album illustrates, he plays several instruments (majoring on guitar and keyboards), while in true indie tradition, recorded the whole album himself. Opener ‘ Maps’ has a brash, bright and breezy instrumental intro like something out of an old Dylan album. Campbell is a master at creating door-opening melodies and this is no exception. Add to these strong and sincere lyrics, wonderful vocal and a bone-shaking rhythm and you have ‘the perfect opening line.’ Title track ‘Joy’ is next and just about sums up everything that’s great about this superb artist; a blinding melody, telling lyrics, and an expressive vocal with the power to move one to tears. I doubt whether a more beautiful song will be released in 2007. Next up is another favourite of mine, ‘Sweet Sister,’ which underlines Campbell’s ability to put deeply held emotional feelings into songs that cannot fail to involve and move the listener. And unlike the Keanes, Snow Patrols and Blunts of this world you will not be exposed to ‘manufactured’ sentiments designed to conquer charts, and dominate the airwaves. The real deal continues with the subtle country folk tones of ‘Cold Engines’ which flows gently punctuated by a vocal that climbs to almost impossible tonal heights before sinking back into contemplation. Piano features heavily here adding drama and intense beauty. The subtle country feel extends to the next acoustic track ‘A Little Hard’ and I’m strongly reminded of Ryan Adams on his very best form, and like a solo Adams, that piano returns to punch the message home. The joyous vibe of ‘Isn’t She Beautiful’ makes one want to know who this attractive person really is… ‘Hey Mama’ is an extraordinary and epic track which reminds me of an early, rocking Beatles song. ‘Same Old Me’ wanders in quietly and then proceeds to win me over with its steady pace, contemplative vocal and superb guitar passages. ‘After The Garden has a distinct blues feel with piano and strings supporting the most sincere and expressive vocal on the record. It’s a heartbreaker… The record culminates in the glacial and deeply introspective ‘Should’ve Stayed At Home that tells the story of a drug induced visit to an A&E department. The vocal performance, which at times descends to a whimper, is one of the most convincing and moving I have ever heard.

Campbell has ridden the crashing waves of success, rejection and abuse to become the UK’s best and most distinctive singer/songwriter. I very much doubt whether I’ll hear a better singer/songwriter album in 2007 and, like FRESH NEW LIFE, I regard this as a very special album and absolutely essential listening.

4.5/5