Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
It doesn’t matter when you finally see the boldness in your action, after all the saying about it being a marathon and not a sprint is one of the most singular truths we can hold onto, that we take heart on. For if we set out to achieve all that is possible by the time we hit our 30th birthday, what is the point in carrying on afterwards; what do we gain by torturing ourselves that at the back of our minds we must urge others to do the same, we must always take heed when someone says Listen To Your Heart and keep going.
We have a duty to inspire others to reach their potential, we have the right to evoke the solemn oath in ourselves that we will fight the impulse to lay down our artistic intent and it is in this premise, this sense of sacred word bondage that Nick Maddocks releases his first studio album and one that is given the extra light by his collaboration with Producer and performer in his own right, Chris Pepper.
The four track E.P. plays out with a sense of overwhelming endeavour, a task fulfilled with a desire of completion born out in each song, from the thought of simple acoustic through to the finished article. This is a set of songs that carry more than hope, but a tremendous amount of resonance that pummels against the rocks of self-doubt, eats away at the put upon resilience of the nay-sayer and comes away having created a channel through to the listener and the fan.
The songs, Gave My Heart To You, Dream My Life Away, She Has Faith In Me, and the E.P. title track Listen To Your Heart are accomplished and serene, they complete the circle started when someone dares to dream, either for themselves, or to help another human being realise all they ever wanted, no matter how large or how seemingly small, each person deserves to know that someone has taken stock and made sure to Listen To Your Heart.
Ian D. Hall