Ian Prowse
Album: Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?
Label: CIA
Tracks: 18
Website: http://www.amsterdam-music.com

Coming to Ian Prowse for the first time having never heard a single note of the music he has created in his 20+ years in the industry I was a little unsure of what to expect. His press release puts him in the same ballpark as Guthrie, Simon, Costello and Springsteen in terms of being a social commentator, albeit on a lesser-known scale. Being a huge fan of all four of their work I was a little apprehensive about spinning this Best Of (as well as Prowses' solo work his two acclaimed bands Pele and Amsterdam are well represented on these 18 tracks).

I am happy to say that I was wrong to be apprehensive. Prowse can only be described as one of England's most-underappreciated songwriters on this evidence. His knack for a catchy pop hook and vocal melody are sublime and you can't help but think he deserves a wider audience. Megalomania, released by his band Pele in 1992, plays out like the Lightning Seeds meets the Beautiful South with full brass and string arrangements (and despite being 20 years old it doesn't sound too dated).

It also is about as far away from the rest of the work on display on this collection. Arm In Arm features a chorus that makes you want to punch the air (or the guy who is walking with the protagonist's girl) and is something anyone who has ever seen the love of their life in the arms of another can relate to.

The title track, one that allegedly reduced John Peel to tears each time he heard it, is an ode to Liverpool and it's famous history (it references both The Beatles and Hillsborough) and even the pronunciation of the word Merseyside is as scouse as it gets.

Costello is a big fan of Prowse and has worked with him before and even used Amsterdam as a support act whilst touring and he joins features on this disc with a cover of The Searchers Don't Throw Away Your Love. Their voices combine effectively and if the two were to collaborate further in the future it would prove to be a compelling prospect with both being excellent wordsmiths.

Whilst Prowse has spent his career toiling under the radar he is one of those artists that you really should go out of your way to hear. Here?s hoping that the next 20 years of his career see him break through the glass ceiling and claim his rightful place on that pedestal with those he is compared to.

Simon Ridley