John Wheeler
Album: Un-American Gothic
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.johnwheelermusic.com

Having heard and seen many performances from his alter-ego, Barley Scotch, we finally get to hear the first album under John Wheeler's own name, "Un-American Gothic".

From the moment you see his pastiche on the Grant Wood painting from which this album takes it's corrupted name, you know that this is going to be that something a little bit different and you're not disappointed. A quick glance at the track listing tells you that this is no album of cover versions, though it does include a fantastic piano led version of The Jam's "Eton Rifles" and a great take on Dylan's "Masters Of War", which sits neatly within the more political nature of the album.

"Un-American Gothic" was heralded by a single "Deeper In Debt" that coincided with the US elections and which also set the tone for this album, more political, more personal, an album with plenty to say and an eloquent turn of words with which to say it.

This is an album in which the real John Wheeler stands up. Not only did he pen most of the songs, he plays most of the instruments as well as doing the production and mixing, this is his work and a damned fine body it is to.

Wheeler seems convinced that we are dancing in the last chance saloon and the quicker we all realise it the better. Importantly it's not done in a Bono, preach to the world sort of way, "Un-American Gothic" is much more of a conversation and a conversation rich in poetry and thought.

At times stripped back, others sounding more like a band, this is an album that projects powerful songs, songs that take repeated listening. There's a particularly poignant two song section, "Street Sweeper Lullaby" followed by "Wondering Why I Ever Go Home" that highlight Wheeler as both a personal and a public songwriter and why this is such a good album to get into.

Oh yeah, just been announced "Walk Between The Raindrops" is going to be the next single.

Neil King