Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

There is perhaps nothing more noble than the artist who understands that life in their chosen field is not all wine and roses, no storming of crowds ready to chant their name on mass at the back stage door, no sense of emotional discordance when a song flies to no.1 in the charts and then replaced three weeks later by a novelty act with a suspect accent and repetitive strains of chorus that are more catching than chicken pox, and just as likely to leave a lasting itch.

The noble artist only faces the consequence of the beauty of the music they put before the audience, for them it can be the reward itself. The fortune of having a mind that creates something so intense, remarkable, and passionate that the recognition comes from those who applaud the effort and the genius, not from those who seek instant gratification and who embrace the appeal of the wandering attention span.

Birkenhead’s Dean Johnson stands in a state of grace, self-deprecating maybe, sincere absolutely, and in his new album, the sometimes caustic, but never musically unkind Cut The Air, Mr. Johnson once more allows the tunes involved to be the star, to take centre stage and allow the spotlight to illuminate them; and like any one with noble music blood roaring through their veins, is happy to acknowledge, rightly or wrongly, that the art is the point of existence. Art for art’s sake maybe, but it is self-sacrifice which brings immortality.

Across tracks such as Your Kisses Sweetly, Reminiscing, the excellent If You’re In Control (You’re Not Going Fast Enough), the surprise, but astounding Stephen King Of The Dancefloor, Toxic Tears and the finale of the album in the song Dying On The Beach. Dean Johnson brings his own personal creative pulse to the front, and it stands with pride, with honour, and defied arguably the musician’s own perceptions. Each song laid down for the album is one that dreams in a kaleidoscope of emotions, it strides out, strikes out, but one that is healthy and forthright thanks to the stirring and inspiring attitude of its creator.

Cut The Air with a knife if you must, but you must also understand why the artist also hands you a plate in which to make sure each morsel is caught, that there are no crumbs wasted; for Dean Johnson this a meal served for all to taste.

Ian D. Hall