Burn The Ration Book Of Love. Peter Alexander Jobson

This is the first of three albums released last week, that all are too good to ignore but of which two would have missed out if I had stuck to three new albums a week. So all three get a shorter review today.

Burn The Ration Book Of Love is Peter Alexander Jobson's debut solo album. Under the name Peter Jobson he was I Am Kloot's bass player for close to two decades until the band folded in 2016. I Am Kloot was one of several bands that rose to fame around 2000 with an acoustic sound, of which some are still around today.

Burn The Ration Book Of Love opens with an acoustic live track in the vein of someone like Tom Lehrer from a long time ago. Funny, unexpected and making the audience laugh. From there Jobson goes into the studio and makes use of all the options a studio, musicians and their instruments offer. With a voice that brings someone like Lee Hazelwood to memory, Jobson sings almost as deep and raspy. The way he talk-sings is certainly convincing.

Expect songs that move forward slowly but with ease, accompanied by that dark-brown voice. Together with co-producer Ben Christophers Peter Alexander Jobson has created a pleasant album that simply sounds very comfortable to him and to the listener. Don't expect any grandstanding, just pleasant music that will put you in a good mood. From purely acoustic to more electronic accompanied songs, you will find it all here.

The surprise of the album is the repeated singing of Guy Garvey in a background capacity. The Elbow frontman is also listed as executive producer. In as far as you need an extra nudge to listen, here it is. I had no clue and was convinced long before I found out.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght