Ian McNabb

From page 66 of Classic Rock Magazine April 2001



Cover of April 2001 issue.
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'Ian McNabb'

(Sanctuary Advance CD) ***** Back in '98, McNabb made one of the great miserablist albums, 'A Party Politcial Broadcast On Behalf Of The Emotional Party'. All mournfully indulgent acoustic guitars and frustrated emotions it garnered respectful reviews and nothing by way of sales. Now, in perverse contrast, McNabb has concocted an album of such shiny feel good vibes you half expect it to chuck you under the chin and ask you `ows it going, our kid.

There's no doubting the energy McNabb's poured into his sixth solo album since the demise of Icicle Works. In many respects it's a return to McNabb's roots: a perfectly manicured combo of melodic pop, toughed out with some Neil Youngstyle guitar. It's all splendidly accessible and sing-along scally anthems like 'Liverpool Girl' will doubtless go down a treat in McNabb's scouse homelands. But there's only so many cheesy '80s keyboards and harmonies you can load on to a song (Alright With Me'), while the influences, from Costello ('Hollywood Tears') to Crazy Horse are worn a tad too obviously on the sleeve. One for fans only. Andy Robson

Bob Calm'
Aimee Mann






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