Phil Odgers
Album: The Godforsaken Voyage
Label: Vinyl Star
Tracks: 10
Website: https://www.facebook.com/PhilOdgers

"The Godforsaken Voyage" shows that former folk rock rebels,The Men They Couldn't Hang, front man, Phil Odgers, affectionately known as Swill from his punk rock days has lost none of his ability to craft hard hitting lyrics over the years nor write the songs to wrap around them.

From the moment you glance at the front cover, you know that this is very much Odger's in solo mode and I think it's important that he made that point from the get go. This is not raw and raucous; this is an album that cuts rather than slashes. In many ways it's a personal album, the anger is still there, but it's more finely delivered , targeted smouldering anger that is as likely to be focused inwards as it is simply against 'the man'. When he goes after an issue he's making a clear point.

What's really pleasing is that contained spirit is there on songs written by both himself and co-conspirator Paul Simmonds and the Odgers interpreted cover versions that pepper the album and that give him a chance to show his quality as an interpreter of songs.

For me one of the highlights of the album is the creative use of guest artists, the two songs, "Dusty Fields" and "Through The Morning, Through The Night" that he performs with Eliza Carthy had me in mind of the Oysterband & June Tabor's collaborations. I really like the idea of Phil & Eliza getting together to do a whole album, I digress. Mentioning the Oysterband, John Jones also makes a guest appearance here.

"The Godforsaken Voyage" is a slow burning album, actually it's a slow burning fuse, maybe kindling is a better word. You listen and feel the smouldering sense of injustice starting to light the flames of rebellion, Phil Odgers has definitely still got the touch, it's a great album.

Neil King