Badman (label)
29 May 2006 (released)
20 June 2006
Thankfully Badman have had the common sense (and decency) to re-release this charming (but not overwhelming) gem for a comparatively affordable £12.99.
As a re-release of a record that (having been deleted by RCA in 2002) now sells for around £25 on Amazon in its original format, I must admit that I was dubious, and having forked out £30 for a copy of Pacific Ocean Blue last year, I've learnt the expensive way that out of print records rarely live up to their mythology.
That said, husband and wife duo, Don and Karen Peris, make a fine noise across this vivid, articulate and warm album, employing (predominantly) acoustic guitars, organ and economic percussion. And if at times the Karen Peris' tendency towards Victoria Williams-esque vocals and unlikely chord changes can be a little hard work, consolation can be found in her formidable talent as a song-writer.
BOMN is a good album, and although it certainly doesn't merit its previously heady price-tag, it is certainly an album worth investing in – if my recommendation isn't enough, then listen to Joni Mitchell and Sufjan Stevens', they seem to like it…
