Rob Dickinson Fresh Wine For The Horses. Release Date : September 13, 2005. Label: Sanctuary. Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. Mister Dickinson, where have you been? All these years away... well now we have an answer. He's been creating a new sound that we certainly aren't accustomed to from him. A man that began more as alternative through the 90's, forging what essentially became an entire genre - his band The Catherine Wheel became the hole that many a pigeon was mercilessly shoved into - has, I suppose, grown up. It really is a big change. The thing that remains is Dickinson's characteristic vocals, a slightly-shredded and rusty but incredibly strong voice. This is an album I more likely love because it's him, as opposed to loving because of what it is on its own. I can say that it's not inherently the songs themselves that aren't as impactful as some of his previous work, but rather, the treatment of the songs. Instead of walls of feedback and unexpected song turns, we find gentle strings and slightly predictable melodies. Now then, far be it from me to fall into the trap of comparison - this surely must be heralded as a new project, and therefore taken on its own. And if that is the case, then I would likely say that the disc is largely too adult-contemporary for me. It's not without its significant moments though. "My Name Is Love" is the very strong album opener, and sure, it's also a bit on the pop-ballad, overly-uplifting level, but it carries a gorgeous melody and a gut-wrenching questioning. A few tracks in, Dickinson takes on Warren Zevon's "Mutineer" in a stripped down version, something that he revisits later in the disc with a delicious harmony. He revs it up in the middle with Handsome" and edges it out further with "Bathe Away," which is another strong track in regards to just simply being a standout and a unique tune - the ever-present string section shoofing away in the background is lovely, alongside the shivery guitars in the forefront. "Storm" continues to be loud in the middle of the album - this section of three songs is definitely a high point. And then we're dropped right off a cliff into the exceedingly-sad "Bad Beauty." Very touching. "Don't Change" has some vaguely corny harmonies I can't get over... but "Flowering And Towering" ends the disc on a higher note again - still that weird boyband soaring quality, but it also has some great drifty reverby guitar notes floating over everything. And the very very tail end features a tear-jerking harmony. Just gorgeous. I don't know, I just feel like some of the songs are a bit clumsy lyrically, and too straight-forward on the whole to be completely interesting. Yet again, it has merit from simply who it is, and that yes, the songs are quite good... just far more mainstream. It will have a broad appeal, it has a certain accessible beauty and an endearing gentleness that I hold as strong points. And I mean, that voice can't be refuted. Just can't. The harmonies, the quality of the recording and the quality of the instrument playing is absolutely there. It is a very good album! I guess I am just hung up on the past... Tough for me! Don't take it hard, Mister Dickinson, the songs are lovely; they just need a bit of a kick. Just a bit. A tap of the foot really. We're half and half right now - some strong, all well-done, some terribly sweet and touching vibes... but that's just it. Vibes. The vibes need to squish over into the realm of HOT DAMN. And I know it's possible. I'm left just... feeling like they should get shelved in the MOR section, which, for a guy who whips about in a yellow Porsche, is far premature. Song of choice : "My Name Is Love" unequivocally. Just the words, the strain... But the things he does with that whole Warren Zevon dreamy mini-version of "Mutineer" is pretty cool too. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Rob Dickinson website Published : January, 2006.