Radiohead is currently residing in the studio to work on the successor to the (once again) excellent ‘In Rainbows’. How original Radiohead drummer Philip Selway managed to find the time to work on his solo-debut ‘Familial’ is a very good question. Even more so when you consider that for Radiohead – and, by extension, all Radiohead solo-projects – the qualitative demands are (rightly) exceedingly high. That can also to be heard on ‘Familial’, where Selway reveals himself to be a convincing singer-songwriter who immediately reminds one of Nick Drake. Selway also receives the pretty much perfect assistance of the likes of Lisa Germano, Wilco-drummer Glenn Kotche and (remember them?) Soul Coughing bassist Sebastian Steinberg. Remarkable detail: two tracks on this album date from the time of 7 Worlds Collide, Neil ‘Crowded House’ Finn's benefit project to which, aside from the previously mentioned performers, Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Ed O’Brien (Radiohead) were also invited. ‘Familial’ will be released 30 August on the famous Bella Union label (see too: Midlake, Fleet Foxes, The Low Anthem, ...). We've already heard the album and were immediate fans!
Support is provided by labelmate Lone Wolf. His debut, 'The Devil And I', came out earlier this year to favourable reviews (see below). He counts Tom Waits, Joanna Newsom, Jason Molina, Fleet Foxes, and Nick Drake among his influences.
"The voice is velvet, the claws sharp and most tracks burst into epic kitchen-sink climaxes" . "****" (Uncut)
"Softly sung sweetness, lustrous harmonies and dextrous guitar work" . "****" (Q Magazine)
"A minor revelation". "8/10". (Drowned In Sound)