THE moment Finn Andrews opens his mouth you know this album is going to be special.
Not that you will understand a word the talented 20-year-old is singing through his distinctive, drawling rasp. Largely produced by Suede's guitar virtuoso, Bernard Butler, The Runaway Found is gloriously inventive and stuffed full of impassioned epics such as string-laden, The Wild Son and single Guiding Light.
The Tide That Left And Never Came Back is the indie pop track The Smiths never wrote, while the heartbreaking, piano-led, The Nowhere Man is inspired by the CS Lewis poem, The Horse And His Boy.
Butler's influence is no more apparent than on standout track, The Valleys Of New Orleans, which is brilliant in its simplicity. The faint shimmer of an electric guitar builds in momentum to provide a perfect background to the simple piano and Andrew's tortured vocal. The debut of the year.
Updated: 09:02 Thursday, February 19, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article