Cerys Matthews
Never Said Goodbye
(Rough Trade)
Thankfully, this second solo album since Brit pop-rock band Catatonia split up is far from the American pastiche that Cerys Matthews, its lead singer, gave us with her dull debut Cockahoop.
Although the latter reflected her move to Nashville with wishy-washy country ballads, Never Said Goodbye nods back to the old Matthews rock ethic, with interwoven psychedelic and even ethereal qualities.
Songs such as Blue Light Alarm showcase Matthews' great vocal range, from husky siren to gritty don't-give-me-no-nonsense rock chick. This slightly spaced-out track will have Catatonia fans begging that the guitars and drums come crashing in but, as on most tracks, they hardly ever do. Rare exceptions include opener Streets of New York, which, while lacking the oomph of Road Rage-era Catatonia, is more sensitively crafted musically and has lyrics that actually mean something - someone being simultaneously overwhelmed both by the city and relationship woes.