What interesting characters the world throws up every so often. Introducing Master Solo who besides writing his first song at the age of six he’s gone on to NME success with former band Ovahead and claims to have eaten 24 bags of crisps in one sitting. Surely that’s a record of some kind?? Master Solo plays good time southern folk. Imagine saloons, guns, whisky shooters and guys with beards. All this from a guy from Norwich. He makes some authentic folk here. ‘Dance Hall Music’ is fun. What with it’s ‘yeeeehar’ acoustic guitars, goodtime pianos, thudding drums and Master Solo’s deep voiced musings, you are transported away to the fore mentioned settings.

It’s all good old fashioned fun. The Beside ‘Pop’ is different, no southern accent, melodic acoustic guitars and a lovable chorus sing along chorus. Even a bit of guitar distortion and a sax duel. Rocking. ‘Pop’ ironically is my favourite of the two reminding me of The Crocketts when they were in their ‘Skinny and Wiry’ phase. Besides being very simple, ‘Pop’ is charming and catchy in equal measures. Master Solo’s influences are stated as acts like Herman Dune, Sebadoh, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. You can hear little bits of each act mixed in here. Where as ‘Dance Hall’ is literally ‘Alternative country’, ‘Pop’ is Indie rock without the fizzing guitars and screaming.

Master Solo has some charming attributes to offer you. Whether it’s his fun time pop or his wistful song writing, you are watching a man with a solid craft. If these are his two sides, I’d like to see what he does next. Maybe it will involve 300 boiled eggs or maybe it’ll just write a hat full of great songs like the two here….

Pete Stanley

Plastic Ashtray.co.uk

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