Everything must change. That’s a cliché, but it is true. Nothing stays the same. The theme of Teddy Thompson’s latest release, his first full-length album of original material in six years, plays on transformation. Ironically, he doesn’t sound that much different from the way he did on his earlier albums. He still has the same smooth tenor voice with an achy edge and sings with precise articulation. The British-born American resident uses his falsetto rather than changes in volume to convey the more dramatic elements in his music. In many ways, he’s still the same as he used to be.
Thompson continues to pen conversational tunes with simple melodic turns. He has always professed an admiration for the classic rock of the pre-Brit Invasion era (think Everly Brothers or Roy Orbison). Half of the ten tracks here are under three minutes in length, and the longest one takes four minutes and 30 seconds. There is a purposeful old-fashioned quality to the material and subtle references to the oldies of yore, like Tommy Edwards’ “All in the Game”.
The songs generally address how love changes over time, or how lovers change even when their feelings do not. Producer David Mansfield adds decorous arrangements that add a spaciousness and elegance to the proceedings on songs such as “So This Is Heartache” and “Same Old Song”. Other tunes sway a little harder, like the rockabilly-infused “I Need Real (Love)” and the bouncy “Make Up Your Mind”. The mix of styles keeps things flowing even as Thompson’s voice takes center stage. Mansfield puts the singer’s voice and acoustic guitar front and center on every cut.
While Thompson’s musical style may not have changed much over time, he has gotten older, and many of his lyrics specifically address his memories. Songs such as “I Remember” and “Baby, It’s You” use his reflections to see into the future. He wants to repeat the past. He may profess things will be different this time, but the latent truth is he wants to find what he once had.
Desire is a familiar creature. “Never had anyone that I can’t let go / still having the feelings that I show,” Thompson croons over a martial drum beat on “Make Up My Mind”. The protagonist cryptically cannot decide what it is he wants. The voices in his head give conflicting advice. Perhaps that’s the key to understanding Thomson’s method of operation. He changes, yet never changes, like Pearl Jam‘s “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town”.
As Teddy Thompson wryly sings on the penultimate track, “Not What I Need”, “It never gets better than it is right now.” That’s okay, or at least it’s not too bad. One can look back at what was once to see what will probably happen in the future and find solace in the ennui. That’s a comforting thought. Life may be the same old song, but at least we know all the words. We may never be the same, just by being the same, but the song remains the same. Like this record, it’s worth repeated listening.