Review
****

Ex-Del Amitri singer makes top-notch return.

Saying Currie knows how to craft a song is a bit like saying Caravaggio could paint, but the sideburned Scot's solo debut maybe prove to be his masterwork. Its pointed, harp-decorated title track includes a stunning modulation, while the drifting, harmony-rich Walking Through You is the kind of affectingly winsome nugget you'd hear everywhere were The Eagles to record it. Lyrically, the heart's stoicism (If I Ever Loved You) and capacity for deceit (Where Did I Go?) are brilliantly dissected, Currie occasionally sliding into an easy falsetto and spitting tumbling bile-infused verses on epic closer No Surrender. The latter is magnificently ambitious, our host thumbing a whole Rolodex of modern-world ills as electric piano and emotive strings swells build drama. Touchstones here, Currie has said, included Plastic Ono Band and Nina Simone and Piano. Such classic references have bred near-classic results.

- James McNair --Mojo

Product Description
The stunning solo debut from the founder and voice of DEL AMITRI.

"More than anything, I think that these songs represent the end of my youth," Justin Currie says of What Is Love For, his first solo album and his Rykodisc debut. "I wanted to allow my world-weariness to roam unchecked. And I wanted to be straight about love about how I can't explain it, control it or figure it out."

As lead singer and main songwriter of Scottish rock/popsters Del Amitri, Currie established an enviable reputation for sterling melodic craftsmanship and pithy, forthright lyrics. What Is Love For maintains those qualities, while achieving impressive new levels of musical and emotional immediacy.

"For me," Currie states, "the song 'What Love Is For?' sums up this record, in that it's ostensibly bleak, but underneath, there's a Morse code melody that's telling you something else. "

What Is Love For features 11 Currie compositions whose pensive meditations on love's darker margins are supported by spare, organic arrangements. Such numbers as "Not So Sentimental Now," "Walking Through You," "If I Ever Loved You" and the haunting title track confront their thorny subject matter with a compelling blend of hard-won insight and pointed humor.

1. What Is Love For?
2. Not So Sentimental Now
3. Walking Through You
4. Something In That Mess
5. If I Ever Loved You
6. Only Love
7. Gold Dust
8. Out Of My Control
9. Where Did I Go?
10. Still In Love
11. No, Surrender
12. Untitled [Hidden Track]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TLYOHU/?tag=imwan-20

Wow!!! This is definitely one to look forward to, it has been far too long since the last Del Amitri release. I never picked up the Uncle Devil Show disc that Justin did a few years back, due to all the negative reviews and word-of-mouth.

I've had this album in unofficial form for the past several months, and I've listened to it many times. If you like the more mellow side of Del Amitri, you will LOVE this album. His voice is as good as ever, the lyrics as biting as ever, and the songs are all among his best.

I also saw him perform two weeks ago at a small club in New York (The Living Room). It was one of only three showcases he did in the US. The place was packed with rabid Del Amitri fans, and no one left disappointed.

Regarding the Uncle Devil Show, I travelled to Scotland when that album came out to see them perform (in Glasgow). The album is fun, in a Traveling Wilburys don't-take-it-too-seriously way. One of Justin's songs on that album, She Cuts Her Own Fringe, is as good as anything he's ever done.

Rich K

Justin Currie, Founder of Scottish Pop Band Del Amitri, Returns With Debut Solo Release "What Is Love For" on October 23, 2007

"Saying Currie Knows How to Craft a Song Is a Bit Like Saying Caravaggio Could Paint, But the Sideburned Scot's Solo Debut May Prove to Be His Masterwork." -- 4 Stars, MOJO

Rykodisc is pleased to announce the release of "What Is Love For," the debut solo album from Justin Currie, the founder and voice of Scottish pop band Del Amitri. The stunning new album will be available on October 23, 2007.

Thought by many to be a significantly underrated songwriter, Justin Currie's new album may prove to be his crowning jewel, with positive early press reaction from such notable publications as MOJO, USA Today, and Q already rolling in. In addition, radio performances on XM's popular show "The Loft" on November 19th and a "Mountain Stage" performance with Suzanne Vega on December 2nd have been confirmed.

Justin recently performed a few special "warm-up" shows in the U.S. (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles) and is looking forward to performing more stateside shows later this year. Meanwhile, a U.K. tour in support of "What Is Love For" kicks off on October 13th in his native Scotland and continues through the end of the month.

"What Is Love For" features 11 Currie compositions whose pensive meditations on love's darker margins are supported by spare, organic arrangements. Such numbers as "If I Ever Loved You," "Not So Sentimental Now," "Where Did I Go?" and the haunting title track confront their thorny subject matter with a compelling blend of hard-won insight and pointed humor. Currie plays a multitude of instruments on the album (acoustic guitar, piano, bass, electric guitar, synth and organ) alongside a collection of players including Currie's longtime Del Amitri partner Iain Harvie and fellow Del Amitri alumnus Andy Alston.

Currie comments on the recording, "More than anything, I think that these songs represent the end of my youth. I wanted to allow my world-weariness to roam unchecked. And I wanted to be straight about love -- about how I can't explain it, control it or figure it out. I thought, this is how I feel so let's see if any other folk out there feel the same thing."

Justin Currie is eagerly embracing new creative challenges with "What Is Love For." "For me, the song 'What Is Love For?' sums up this record in that it's ostensibly bleak, but underneath there's a Morse code melody that's telling you something else. It's my Scottish romanticism, heavily clothed in a shrug of resignation. The Scots believe that life is pitiless and harsh, but that deep inside us all, there's a churning sea of desire and optimism that's usually suppressed by drink, stoicism and bravado."

I attended the taping of the Mountain Stage radio program, and Justin's performance was incredible! Justin's voice was excellent, as ever, and he was accompanied by a keyboard player he brought with him (unable to catch his name, sorry). He performed several numbers from his new solo album, on either acoustic guitar or piano. On "No, Surrender" he also hooked up his iPod to provide the drum track. To close his set, he performed the Del Amitri classic "Be My Downfall" with the house band. The program will be broadcast over public radio sometime around mid-March, hopefully they will not edit out any of Justin's performance.

Has anyone verified what the "Untitled Hidden Track" is?

I just happen to have the CD here at work. The 12th track is a short (1:31) song, sounds like a demo (piano & vocal), title might be "In the Rain."