Originally published by L.S. Media. June 29th 2010.

L.S. Media Rating * * * *

Sometimes you approach an album by an artist that you respect and adore with a certain amount of trepidation and concern. Questions flutter round your brain like lost piano notes floating in the ether. Will it be as good as the last album? Have they lost their touch? What has influenced them this time? In the case of Ed Harcourt’s latest album Lustre these questions are answered and a few well worn reservations thrown out.

Although his last few studio albums had realised some warm critical success they haven’t really hit any major buttons with the general public.

Lustre redresses that balance as Ed Harcourt delivers an album that is at once sensual, keenly observed and full of little gems that in some ways harkens back to his brilliant debut album Here Be Monsters. When that album was released Ed was (quite rightly) touted as one of musicians of the decade, it seemed as there was nothing that this man could not conquer, now after stopping at base camp for the last few years, he is on his way to the musical summit once more.

The album opens with the title track Lustre a sweeping panoramic movement that reads as if written by James Joyce, the music flow like the Irish writers verse. This is more in evidence on the track When the Lost Don’t Want to be Found, with its almost despairing, mournful lyrics and the telling line of So I’ve been told, it’s all in my mind. Something that most people will identify with and have empathy for!

There can be no uncertainty around this album, it is a muses dream written by a seemingly contented man but who still has that dark spot in his mind that all good artists need. Lustre is an album of joy and genuine warmth but with that hint of bleak nostalgia that Ed is not only good at, but excels far beyond most recording artists of his age.

Ian D. Hall