March of Dimes - All Intents and Purposes [Album]

Hope House Records

September 30, 2009, 05:25 PM

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Big Issues right off the bat asking us - in the actual song title no less - if we only had one day what would we get up to? So we're dealing with the possible celebration of life through the consideration of imminent death, which gives natural cause for ruminating on love. Bang. Your big three right there and we've only just stuck the CD on and this big theme threads right the way through "All Intents and Purposes" from start to finish.

Now, the adult contemporary section of your local record store is about as appealing as an invitation to the cad who broke your heart's wedding but if we can suspend the cool urbanite cynicism for a moment or two we can have a closer gander - quickly, while no-one's looking.

Here and there the odd tune reminds me why I tend to avoid this genre, as in 'Foxes and Convicts,' but for every dud there is a pleasing surprise just round the corner. One moment you're being put in mind of Badly Drawn Boy ('Not Bad, Just Different') and the next it's Neil Young or James Taylor ('Talking to Myself').

The production throughout is understated and professional allowing the songs to speak without interference and the musicianship in evidence is enough to get the best out of the tunes, which is all that's ever needed.

"If I have to die, and everyone does, let me know life and let me know love." Cheese enough to make you gag, right? But we've got our cynic gun on safety, remember, so admit it, that's pretty much the fundamental desire of every human on the planet right there. On 'The Great Illustrator' they make this point repeatedly and it doesn't get old, with a dreamy countrified My Morning Jacket style guitar line over the top it's the highlight of the album for me.

A well rounded thoughtful effort then with a real depth of quality. March of Dimes have found an interesting place between popular artists like David Gray and the more obscure world of modern folk.

Okay, you can get your cool back on now and go listen to The Cabin Fever but we both know you'll go back for another listen of closer 'The Cracks in the Floor' sooner or later.

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