THOMAS Hansen is something of a happy paradox. Here's another low-key, lo-fi singer who has slipped out of America's backdoor, dragging along his guitar to perform simple songs with the dust of country on them.
Only Hansen - or St Thomas, as he prefers - isn't American at all, but Norwegian. Oh, and he used to be a postman. Early albums brought comparisons with Neil Young, something Hansen is huffy about.
His album Hey Harmony was a big budget, big production number recorded in Nashville, but St Thomas wasn't happy with the experience, feeling he had lost himself along the way. Hence this charming and simple album, on which the music is direct and nave, fitting the mock-childlike artwork on the cover.
The songs tend to wander cheerfully into one another, but those that stand out include the opening Sunny Day, You May Find A Treasure Everywhere and the more upbeat Dance To The Disco. The production feels distinctly home-made, which only adds to the charm.
Updated: 09:30 Thursday, April 29, 2004
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