Secret Exhibition. Tom Cunliffe

Secret Exhibition is an album with two faces, both equally dependent on my mood. One day I hear a singer-songwriter with a tendency towards the alternative, on another I hear Elton John at his worst. Fact is, Tom Cunliffe is neither. He finds his way among 1970s singer-songwriters like Jim Croce as easily as he does in moody bands like Tindersticks.

Before the release of a single some weeks ago, announced in the Flying Nun Newsletter, I had never heard of Tom Cunliffe. The New Zealand singer-songwriter releases his third album and apparently Secret Exhibition is quite a departure from his previous album, 'Template For Love'. The explanation he gives is Covid lockdowns.

If anything, the period of seclusion has brought inner depths to the fore that colour the world more beautiful than it was before. Cunliffe presents himself as a very much introverted singer (and songwriter) wallowing in a dollop of melancholy and sadness. Together with producer Dave Kahn he has made an album that, as I started out here with, has two faces. Why?

When listening while doing other things, what I hear is as I wrote, Elton John at his worst. Just duff balladry and not much happening. However, when my ears are screwed on right, I hear so much in the songs. From an alternative rock lead guitar, mixed mildly, sure, right up to George Harrison lead guitar playing. It all comes by, as long as I listen.

The start of the album is a bit of a wrong teaser. Especially song 2, 'They Only See The Stars', can put the listener on the wrong foot, more so because the opener, 'Secret Exhibition', is somewhat tougher as well. Most of the other six songs are at heart acoustic songs, acoustic guitar and/or piano form the basis of the song, with a soft bass and even softer drums behind them. Cunliffe's oh so pleasant, deepish voice is mixed right up front. This album is all about his voice. All other instruments are embellishments and less important.

It is not only the cover art that makes me think of Matt Berninger's solo album. There are less instruments on Secret Exhibition than on 'Serpentine Prison', the mood and prominence on the voice are a match. Both albums equally impress.

To wind up, Secret Exhibition, is the kind of album to buy on vinyl, tuck away your legs on the couch, headphones on and retreat from the world for a while. When my mood is right, that is.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Secret Exhibition here:

https://tomcunliffe.bandcamp.com/album/secret-exhibition