Phil Harding

Reviewed: "The Story of Beginners"

Talk about chalk & cheese, but I really am the wrong person to be reviewing this CD.

First, a bit of background: Phil Harding has worked with artists such as: East 17, Rick Astley, Boyzone and Erasure. Wow. For anyone who hasn't already smacked the 'back' button on their browser, I shall continue....

Lets start with the good stuff - this is s pleasant, laid back, poppy guitar album, with a genuine sincerity and passion to the songs. Phil's certainly knows the world of pop music, with plenty of little hooks harmonies, melodies and choruses scattered here there and everywhere.

But the main problem with this album is that it just doesn't inspire me to do... well... anything. It plods along like TV background music and, as a result, never kicks into any emotional or musical high gear - a bit like Paul Simon nowadays. This CD doesn't rock, doesn't relax, doesn't infuriate and doesn't upset. It just kind of.... there.

Which is a shame, as Phil clearly has a lot of ability, both as a guitar player and a singer, that the songs just disappear into nothingness.

Reviewed by DC