W.W. Lowman: Plain Songs

At seven tracks, W. W. Lowman’s Plain Songs could be considered an EP. But since the shortest tune here is over four minutes with most clocking well over five, we’ll say it’s full-length. Lowman spent three years making this lush, orchestral pop album; and it sounds like it was well worth the wait. Lowman’s relaxed delivery makes the songs glide along, especially the lovely “Tea Til Ten” that brings David Gilmour’s solo work to mind if influenced by XTC. Things morph into a soulful, Sade-ish realm during “Goodbye Greg” with an equal amount of elegant chops, briefly settling the mood down before picking things up again. The musician’s soft, almost sleep-inducing feel is a definite plus throughout, especially on the hushed “Please Don’t Think it’s Funny” which brings Daniel Lanois solo work to mind. Two of the longer pieces begin with “Rasperate”, a nine-minute song that is a jazzy tune with ample twists and turns. The only knock on the song is how it comes off a bit like elevator music. “Lee & Me” continues down this road, resembling the second half of one mammoth tune.