HAWKSLEY WORKMAN
Treeful of Starling
Universal
· Hawksley Workman uses his musical powers to do good
Historically, Hawksley Workman’s writing has suffered from inconsistency –not of quality, but of taste. He’ll have some misguided tracks like "Striptease" (Delicious Wolves, 2001) that make you think he may be a soulless pop guy, and then some irresistible tracks like "Don’t Be Crushed"(For Him And The Girls, 1999) that make you think he may be the new Elton John.
Treeful of Starling transcends the snares of being so versatile by making a record of all acoustic instruments, with a focus on consistency. The arrangements are sophisticated and fairly subdued, twinkly pianos, quirky rhythms and naive metaphors give it the feel of a children’s album. It sounds just like an album anyone could make if they had a studio in a century-old farmhouse (Workman apparently does).
Treeful of Starling is possibly Hawksley Workman’s most soulful album to date. It’s a good introduction for the unfamiliar, and a welcome group of songs that more than convince a skeptic like myself.
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