Sometimes I notice that I am talking to myself. “That’s quite nice”, “Yes, it is quite nice”, “The world is flat” – that kind of thing. It is also the eternal predilection of the reviewer that everything tends to sound like something or someone you’ve heard before even if, most of the time, you’re not quite sure who or what or where.
Calm As The Colour is another Scottish singer songwriter on the lam from his influences. There’s a vague hint that Johnny Marr is in pursuit when you hear the guitars on “Velvet Sunburst” and the essence of Idlewild seems to be driving the melodic “The Rain Must Fall” onwards and upwards and, overall, he – that would be Darren, the singer – seems content to show what good taste he has in his record collection rather than showing what he can actually do.
This EP is certainly a pleasant and easy listen but it lacks the stamp of individuality that comes with the courage to be your own man instead of being just another earnest singer songwriter on the circuit.