Matthew Edwards has the knack of writing very literate and smart pop songs. If I'm drawing a map of similar taste artists, it would include Vic Godard, Lloyd Cole, David Bowie (his later album "Hours" comes to mind), and Mickie Most-era Donovan, with a touch of Jacques Brel. Shamefully tuneful, but with a bite that stings. "The Birmingham Poets" is an album short in length, but also I tend to play the record over again once I heard it for the first time. Matthew and his band The Unfortunates do beautiful arrangements that are chamber pop like in one moment, but it also has a strong cinematic or visual sense as well.
"California, Can You Wait?" is a song that drills into your sub-consciousness due to its catchy melody and chorus. Yearning for and wanting something so special that is so close, but one can't touch it. Birmingham England is very much the location or the emotional home and Edwards' words reflect an observation that is both slightly nostalgic, but also biting. There is a Nöel Coward sensibility in that he can convey the everyday of life as something special in its small moments.
"Birmingham Poets" is an album that sticks to you, as Lou Reed/Mo Tucker once sang, like glue. No need to remove the record, because, by desire, you will play it again and again.
I've been a fan for many years, his back catalogue stands the test of time . I have to say The Birmingham Poets is his best collection of songs to date . Well done Mr Edwards.
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