The voice of the Gentle Waves is Isobel Campbell, also of a certain Belle & Sebastian. But don’t judge this record on that basis. Really the Gentle Waves deserve more, as their debut of April 99 ‘The Green Fields of Foreverland’ was a stunning collection of songs as varied as you could hope for. And ‘Swansong For You’ is a fine sequel. Quirky anecdotes characterise fine song-writing, but with a deep channel of personal reflection and inner anxiety – which is at times totally juxtaposed with the confident and soaring vocals, backed with a sonic tapestry worthy of Scott Walker at his best. A wonderful LP and no mistake.
