Short Reviews [Id Guinness - 2018 - "Lost Language"]

I was sent this CD by Olav, as he felt that I might well be interested in it, so this Canadian album has made it all the way to New Zealand via Norway, so it is well-travelled, a bit like the music contained within it. This is the first time I have come across Canadian singer-songwriter and keyboard player Id Guinness who apparently is also a member of the Vancouver art rock outfit Red Herring. He released his debut solo album ‘Cure For The Common Crush’ in 2007, followed that up with ‘Soul Envy’ in 2010, with this being released in July this year. Of the ten songs on offer, nine are originals, with the final song on the album being a cover of “I Can’t Stay Long” by Ultravox, which originally appeared on 1978’s ‘Systems of Romance’. It’s interesting in that it doesn’t sound too far removed to Id’s own material, and shows one of his major influences. Id has a wonderful voice, melodic and emotional, pure and clean, with a strong range, which he places at the forefront of the arrangements, often with strident guitar placed against it. The whole album reminds me somewhat of the early 80’s, and as well as Ultravox one can point to Japan and Spandau Ballet as having a major influence to his work, but then combined with the likes of Cat Stevens or early Chris de Burgh. A picked acoustic guitar is sometimes used to great effect, and the whole album is incredibly polished and inviting. From the cover photo I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t an album as powerful and dramatic as this. I have really enjoyed playing this album, and highly recommend it to fans of art rock/singer songwriter, as this is sheer class. His second album is soon to be reissued, so I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for that.