daniel hertzov

But the presiding moments of lyrical insight reflect the Glaswegian singer songwriter's Russian/American background and bring a unique flavour to an interesting album. You need look no further than the impressive minimalism of the title track with its Cat Stevens meets Nick Drake sensibilities or the piano led love song 'Trust the River' with its moving lyrical metaphors and neat band arrangement to glimpse Daniel's potential.

His fragile voice carries with it a sense of struggle with an undiminished fractured optimism and ultimately a triumph of the self over the odds, be they psychological or external. There's a welcome change of tempo on the flighty mandolin led 'Tumbling Down and Away' which carries a wistful feel at odds with the music, while '6 Years to the Day' is an unreconstructed love song that settles on a feeling of contentment. - Get Ready To Rock (GRTR)

Equally at home with sensitive balladry (Trust the River, 6 Years) and grungy rock (Down at the Park, Saviour), Hertzov crafts his songs with a distinctly Americana feel. Both mandolin-led Tumbling Down and Away and Shelter offer a lighter approach to Daniel's songwriting, the latter celebrating the fact that when the chips are down, the music survives. - Northern Sky

Russian born, raised in the USA, and now living in Scotland; Daniel Hertzov, somewhere along the way, has been immersed in seventies singer-songwriter albums.

It's the only explanation for this accomplished collection of songs which constantly remind one of my favourite singers - is the opener 'Believing' really not a Cat Stevens song? Anyone using a river as a metaphor for life or love risks comparison to Nick Drake, and indeed there is a touch of Drake around 'Trust the River'. 'Tumbling Down and Away' is a journey narrative so reminiscent of early Steve Forbert that it doesn't seem impossible that the backing track is a stolen 'Alive On Arrival' out take. There's also a hint of Badly Drawn Boy hanging around the album.

And the great thing is that it doesn't matter - although others are instantly brought to mind this album is all Daniel Hertzov. Coupled to a warm vocal that slides over the simple backing arrangements like molten fudge are literate songs that eschew obscure references and unnecessary verbiage in favour of a directness that connects and conveys emotions. 'Down At The Park', for example, gives one way to resolve an argument - "let's take a long, long walk, there ain't no use in talk / things will not seem so stark, down at the park" - that's easy to relate to, it's sometimes better to avoid a discussion because "talking somehow leads to shouting".
- www.americana-uk.co.uk