 Neil Halstead Neil Halstead was singer/guitarist/songwriter for British shoegazers Slowdive, and currently maintains that same position in Mojave 3. Over the years, Halstead’s fondness for folk-ballads and minimalist introspection has gradually taken over as his primary source of creative inspiration. Fragile guitars, light and understated percussion, and mellow singing serve as the foundational elements in Halstead’s solo debut effort Sleeping On Roads, but the beauty of his songs lies in the heartfelt expressions of sensitive emotions, delivered with sincerity and warmth natural in artists who’ve managed an intimate connection with the substance of their emotions through an extraordinary sensibility to experience. "What has become of our love?" The distinguishing element in Halstead’s music is the simplicity with which penetrating sentiments are expressed. This is a rare gift that requires the artist to have a genuine relationship with his/her emotional condition, leading to a pure understanding of how to most effectively and lovingly communicate those feelings in a way that allows an audience to develop a strong connection with the music from recalling relatable experiences. Like other singer/songwriters who have this gift, particularly Mark Kozelek, Elliot Smith, and Nick Drake, Halstead recognizes the importance of subtlety that works towards bringing the song’s persuasion to vibrant life, beautifully illustrated in "Hi-Lo And Inbetween" and "Martha’s Mantra (For The Pain)". Through the reliving of heartache in these songs, Halstead not only seeks to ease the pain within himself, but also in that of his listeners. His talent for poetic and nakedly honest lyrics parallel the music. Halstead’s aching, delicate, yet congenial voice awards this music with an endearing melancholy. There is abundant comfort in these sad and lonely songs, resulting from Halstead’s affection for the memories that inspire him to write this music, in the knowing that, though the experiences brought much hurt, these moments have a way of making life beautiful and meaningful. Album closer "High Hopes" personifies this to the fullest degree, as Halstead’s longing voice glides over a frail acoustic guitar, drawing the listener into the emotion as to become one with its essence. "I'll see you standing there
in the pouring rain The character of Sleeping On Roads is similar to a 1970s summer folk-rock album, though without the overly free-spirited, ‘love will save the world’ personality. It is real in its acknowledgment of the necessity of heartache, yet the breezy and delicate nature of the album presents easy-going vibes. The use of trumpet in "Driving With Bert" nicely exemplifies this, as it brings a pictorial charm to this relatively up-beat yet reflective song. Other instruments such as cello, banjo, and hammond organs bring an array of moods to the music, all implemented in sparse fashion, supplying just what is needed for the unfolding of a given song. The unassuming nature of this music prevents the album from forming an immediate presence, but the heart and soul of the songs are of a quality that keeps them timeless, as the subtle beauty and embracing melodies become more seductive with each listen. "Look for comfort now,
within these walls Sleeping On Roads is not far from what Halstead explores musically and thematically with Mojave 3, but as this is a solo work, the material is of a more personal perspective. Still, any one of these songs would not feel out of place on any given Mojave 3 album. Neil Halstead’s music is elegant, beautiful, painful, charming, and most of importantly, all-embracing in its expressiveness. These songs flow in reflective movement, bringing an air of tender familiarity to the surface. This effect has a magical way of raising one’s awareness of their own affection for life, perhaps hidden beneath the numbness everyday life requires in the ultimately vain efforts of completing immediate tasks. Music like this has the ability to re-acquaint one with repressed memories, to relive them, especially the more painful ones, and to understand that these moments are meaningful because they make us feel alive in what often feels like a dead world. 3/18/07 Tracklisting: 1. Seasons
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