Reviews

Artist: Chris Harrington
EPs: Home/Sands Of Time
Label:Self Release
Tracks: 8
Rating: ***
Contact:   www.myspace.com/chrisharringtonuk

I was fortunate enough to be in at the start of the Rough Trade Singles Club. Once a month a lump of 7" vinyl would drop through my letter box, bringing me a unique recording that was eagerly awaited. Singer songwriter Butch Hankcock did something similar with his cassette of the month club. Sometimes just a few tracks often a mini album or more. Chris Harrington seems to be going down the same road.
In the past few weeks a couple of eps have dropped into the Fatea PO Box. The first one, Sands Of Time, was recorded during February and March, the follow up, Home, was recorded at Home during the month of April and is already out and ready to acquire.
Home, was actually recorded at home. Computers mean that time from recording to release is now only as long as it takes to burn the fully mastered cd, burned off. Whilst your waiting assemble the artwork, get onto your website get the publicity out and maybe a couple of samples from the tracks. It's a very quick process, but does quality suffer? Well in the hands of Chris Harrington, the answer would be no. For a start the reproduction is so much better than you used to get with cassette. Whilst the process may be quicker technology and quality have moved on. That only leaves the content as an area that might be suspect.
Chris harrington is a relative young performer, singer/songwriter. Turning out cds like this at a rate of one a month could be challenging, it's a challenge that Chris seems capable of meeting. The songs are stripped right back to the basics, the kiss principle works really well in the folk genre. There is a strength to Chris' voice that means he doesn't need an array of instruments to bring out the best.
The keep in simple principle works all the way through. His songs sound poetical, because he doesn't try to be a poet and get in over complicated phrases and rhythms. Songs like Spent World work because they build on ideas in an organic way. Doing the simple things right is what leads to great performance, you have to be confident in what you're going to deliver because there's no where to hide.
Chris has the potential to grow into a really top rate songwriter. He has a way to go before he gets there. What he is is a good songwriter who has already made good progress along the road. Both eps more than hold their own. Get in there now for the early cuts so that you can nod in a sage like manner when a label follows your example and picks Chris up.