Neil Halstead
Oh! Mighty Engine

"What a beautiful music!".

That was the comment from a USA friend when he listened to the latest work by Neil Halstead. Album from 2008. And even today, I can't find a better summary for this album. Neil is a lot of things. Former leader of Slowdive, current leader of Mojave 3, singer-songwriter, and Rachel Goswell's husband (not a small thing). She is the female voice of Slowdive. She also released her first solo album, which I will review if no one else beats me to it.

From Slowdive, a multitude of albums and styles branched out, all of which I absolutely love. There's the series of Mojave 3 albums (all excellent, of course), there's Villan's Monster Movie (for the curious, see my review) whose new work I've been eagerly awaiting since 2006 like manna from heaven. And then there are the Halstead/Goswell couple who, besides being part of Mojave 3, are singer-songwriters. Neil is on his second solo work. The first one is also not to be missed. But with "Oh! Mighty Engine," he has outdone himself.

Nothing to do with "Slowdive," don't expect atmospheric Shoegaze because it's nothing like that. Neil continues in parallel with the work of Mojave 3 and remains in the folk-dream pop genre, of which it is today the best version. For those who don't have time to waste like me, look for the sample of "Always the bee" or "Little Twig" and then let me know if it's worth listening to the whole album. Then we will move on to Rachel's album, which is on the same level even if it's more inclined towards dream pop rather than folk. In the meantime, check out "Costantine" so you're ready.

Alex