Playing Dead

Description

Playing Dead is the debut album by the British singer, songwriter, and producer Iain Archer, independently released on Sticky Music in 1994. (Archer did self-release a cassette entitled Rain the previous year.)

Every so often an artist comes along where the temptation to compare to another is irresistible. Inevitably such musicians seem to downplay the talent of the artist involved. Iain’s songwriting screams for comparison with Brian Kennedy (I’m sorry lain – I’ve said it). But wait, lain is truly on a level with Brian in terms of his craft. This album is easy listening for those who DON’T wear comfy slippers and cardies – truly relaxing. The songs have beautiful melodies and the lyrics are artful and well-observed, if a little oblique at times, lain plays guitar in a style that most people might have heard in Extreme’s number one hit ballad «More Than Words» and combines it with a truly wonderful voice that soars and swoops. This leads me to my only complaint – the production. Surprisingly enough for the marvellous Lies Damned Lies team, they don’t seem to have given Iain’s voice and guitar quite enough space to speak for themselves. Having heard the songs stripped down to these essentials live, I think they could have done with the barest minimum of accompaniment on record. Nevertheless, a very enjoyable album, recommended for those frazzled by the pace of life in the 90s. [James Lewis, Cross Rhythms, December 1994]

CD tracklist:

01. Wishing – 5:16
02. Drink Your Fill – 4:52
03. Expectations – 4:48
04. Playing Dead – 5:20
05. One Of These Days – 3:45
06. Last Thing On My Mind – 4:14
07. Rain – 4:56
08. Tumbling Down – 5:05
09. Soul Cries – 5:58
10. Something For Nothing – 6:02
11. Papa Burns – 3:58

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sticky Music.