lambchops's Full Review: People Move On by Bernard Butler
From his early work with the venerable Suede to his pairing with British crooner David McAlmont, I've always found Bernard Butler to be a man with a unique talent. Time and time again he managed to splice together outstanding songs. But the most telling test of talent is the solo record.
Butler struck out on his own in 1998 with his solo debut People Move On. It is clear that he intended his work to be an epic, sweeping, druggy escapade. But in truth, the disc comes off as something of a pretentious letdown. Butler is capable (as evidenced by his other, truly outstanding efforts) of much more than this album. It could have been a whole lot worse, but with expectations so high it is painful to see the artist flounder even moderately.
Playing most every instrument on the album was certainly a challenge, but the fiercy independent auteur was up to the effort. And occasionally his ability shines through brilliantly. The production is distinctly problematic in that it too often comes off as convoluted and busy. Butler's voice isn't particularly strong. He's not a balladeer, rather his vocals are better suited to more overt pop. He would have been better off with fewer textures and layers. It is on songs like the opener Woman I Know that this major flaw shines through most unfortunately. It sounds less like a solo song than a theatrical opus.
And there are other problems (all related to Butler's shaky vocals and the thick production). Consider for a moment the tracks You Just Know, Not Alone, and Stay. Most all of the songs take much too long to get going--I understand this is supposed to be an evocative statement but I'm not at all impressed by the efforts shown. The guitar work on You Just Know is great, but the track would have been better with fewer layers of vocals and drums. This fact is proven later in the album on the softer songs where Butler indeed finally shimmers as fans best appreciate him.
Not Alone sounds like a reject mix between the space-rock of The Verve and The Beatles. Unfortunately for Butler the track itself stinks. The mid-tempo pace does nothing to further augment the otherwise lacking track. And Stay is no better either...it barely functions as a song even though he does drop most of the overly produced lines. He sounds like a little boy singing karaoke to his favorite track. Also less than perfect are songs Autograph (a song much, much too long for it's own purpose) and title track People Move On.
As slumber-inducing that most of the disc is, there are a few tracks that resonate nicely. You've Got What It Takes is a lovely track that drops most of the troubling pretenses of the other songs. A modest set of drums and guitar populate the track. Butler's voice is light and wistful, and set along side the striking folk melody it works wonderfully.
You Light The Fire also works nicely, for much the same reason. It is light, it is emotional, and it is wonderfully arranged. Butler's talent for folk/pop/rock shines through wonderfully. Also of modest note are songs including the wholly appealing A Change of Heart and the lovely When You Grow. But most of these songs happen much too late in the effort to make it worthwhile to stick the experience out.
Keeping tally? If so, you'll notice that this album is half fine and half not so fine. People Move On falls victim to a few forces. Butler was trying to escape his Brit-pop roots and in doing so he lost the most important and wonderful parts that were apparent in his earlier work. He tries too hard...at everything, and this resulting album is the disappointing result. Butler did manage to put together a more impressive album returning to his roots with 2000's Friends & Lovers. People Move On may appeal to some fans of Butler, but the disc will also probably rub even more people the wrong way. For this reason, this average fare is not recommendable.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Woman I Know
02. You Just Know
03. People Move On
04. A Change of Heart
05. Autograph
06. You Light the Fire
07. Not Alone
08. When You Grow
09. You've Got What It Takes
10. Stay
11. In Vain
12. I'm Tired
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