“If I’m not mistaken – and to be fair I often am on this sort of thing – mares’ tails are those whispy clouds that appear on humid days just before things get a bit stormy. Whatever the potential shortcomings of my amatuer meteorology, it’s a pretty apt description of the dozen songs on Leeds-based Gareth Cavill’s second album.

“Lo-fi and melancholically introspective it may be, yet there’s a Northern stoicism to the delivery that suggests this isn’t idle self absorption but a harbinger of shit to hit all our emotional fans. It’s a neat trick that only a Frenchman or Yorkshireman can really pull off (sorry Morrisey – wrong side of the Pennines) – upbeat moribundity you can whistle along to.”
—Oz Hardwick, R2 Rock’n’Reel, November/December 2010

Delicious lo-fi melancholy from Leeds.

Like the clouds after which it’s named, Gareth Cavill’s second album hints at unsettled weather ahead. As he traces wistful acoustic patterns over gentle waltzes, his voice delivers memorable lines like “your beautiful mouth is filled with terrible teeth”, while spoken-word closer “Small Moments” praises the simple pleasures of solitude. Those nostalgic for Sarah Records will also revel in “Cold Heaven’s” sparkling crescendo and, especially, “These Things”, whose brushed drums and echoing guitars sound like an English Pennines take on East River Pipe’s intimate sadness.
—Wyndham Wallace

“This is an understated gem of an album when given a second chance. Your patience will be rewarded if you give Cavil time to settle in with you. My suggestion is to try putting your feet up, getting nice and comfy (with a cup of tea at your elbow, perhaps) before pressing the play button. I do hope everyone out there will do just that, because everyone will then have a very nice time listening to this delightful album.”

This is an album to fall in love with. From the opener ‘Terese’, Gareth Cavil has got your attention and your heart. Read the rest of this entry »