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Reviewed by Amanda Mills

Alex Moffat Selection: Archive

Reviewed by Amanda Mills

Alex Moffat Selection: Archive

Vocalist/guitarist Alex Moffat has been making music, in various guises, since the 1980s. After meeting bass player Glenn Healey and drummer Jacko Jackson, he put together the Alex Moffat Selection in 2013, and compiled this second album, a compilation of his best tracks over the last 30 years. Moffat has a good way with melody, and an engaging, warm voice that connects the tracks on ‘Archive’, as all are disparate in style – from folk, to rock, reggae, country, and back again. Ross McDermott produced much of the album, and many well known session musicians add their talents to the recordings; including vocalist Sarah Spicer, and The Chills’ Peter Allison. Though most of the songs date back to the 1980s and ’90s, few sound dated. Ballad Money has strings, tinkling piano, saxophone and reverbed guitar, but also space, and that saves it from being an ’80s relic. One of the most interesting tracks is Act Of Love, a waltz that could be straight out of a carnival, with its piano accordion accompaniment, and Tom Waits-like vocal. ‘Archive’ shouldn’t work as well as it does, as the songs veer between styles dramatically, but there is a consistency in the songwriting that glues the 11 tracks together, making it a pleasure to listen through.