Nic Alexander

The burgeoning local acoustic scene spits out new singer songwriters constantly and sometimes it seems hard to find anyone who stands out from the Maton crowd. With a charm and sense of purpose, Alexander manages to cross a few genres and set himself up as an odd inclusion onto the scene. Songs vary from the personal to offering advice on all matter of subjects, which usually include some element of love and loss.

Essentially this is a low budget recording based around an acoustic guitar and bass and drums relying on good playing and honesty in the lyrics. Caving In is at the heart of the album being both economical on the instruments and wonderfully straight to the point with its emotions. Strangely Alexander seems most comfortable when playing jazzy chords and making his odd remarks about whimsical quirks as on Chasing Shadows. The emotional depths get a bit heavy on the laboured Never See, but there is enough light and shade here to keep the razor blades away.

Like Missy Higgins and maybe even Paul Kelly, Alexander likes to tell a tale and he uses a streetwise Aussie accent to get the point across. Upstream is also a sad yet uplifting tune that closes the album with the hope of happiness in the future through the bitterness of love’s losses.

Alexander does more than going through the motions and has the ability to write a witty tune. In the future he should explore those jazz influences and odd subject matter for songs as he is best heard as an artist and commentator on life and it’s strange turns.

Sebastian Skeet
- Drum Media