Andy Thornton “Sunflower Girl” (Dubious Recordings 2007)

A very personal album that embraces sadness and hope

Thornton, a Yorkshire man who has spent time in various bands in Scotland before relocating south has released an album dedicated to his late wife, tragically dead aged only 29. Several of the songs are melancholic reveries related to his loss but buoyed by his evident faith (he has been closely involved in the Greenbelt festival) a strong sense of survival and hope persists.

Aided throughout the album by Iain Archer (ex Snow Patrol) the songs are mainly acoustic based with a strong romantic sweep with strong reminders of The Blue Nile’s dreamy soundscapes. Thornton’s vocal resemblance to David Bowie (and occasionally Scott Walker) reinforces the inherent drama in the songs. Despite an occasional lapse involving over emotive, even forced vocal exercises (He Does Not Deserve You) there are some sublime songs here. “Rosey (One More Time)” is excellent, creating a mood that sucks you in. The mood continues with “That Girl,” with drums and orchestra added to the mix Thornton sings of “That girl – made the glow of your vanished love burn/made the hope of your shaken mind twirl/made the dream of a better life fail….,” an aching love song.

Lyrically wordy, some of the lyrics push at the seams and the Vincent Van Gogh references in the title track remind me of that Don McLean song, however if soft rock romanticism is your bag then this should be on your shopping list.

Date review added:  Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Reviewer:  Paul Kerr
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Related web link:  artist website