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Elly Roberts reviews
4 Real Records
- Cat.no: SYN295CDA
- Released: April 2006
- Rating: 4/10
Being a music graduate doesn’t mean you have the qualities for a successful music career.Twenty two year old Thomas Bromley‘s Two-Nine-Five hasn’tlived up to the PR hype.
As a serious singer-songwriter, in the possiblemould of Sweden’s Robert Post he’s created an album that has its moments,though too many are forgettable. Overall, the sound is American, withexcellent production that shines through. In his favour, he plays quite afew instruments – that’s nothing new these days.
For a debut, he’s bravelyhaving a go, but as a Brit he’s out of synch with his peers, because themusic is way beyond Joe public’s pop tolerance. Admittedly, there’s plentyof variation on offer, ballads like Out There and AOR rock-riffs – Bye TheWay. He’s even managed to through in some bluesy licks – Mark My Words, butlacks the quality to make any significant impact. Home and Daisy prove to bethe standout songs of the ten, and that’s about it.
Technically, it’sdifficult to criticise, other than nothing more than your average Radio 2playlisters, which is the only foreseeable avenue to recognition. Vocally heexhibits a fair bit of gymnastics to a masterful degree.
He’s not yourDamien Rice or David Gray, so pigeon-holing him is quite difficult, on thepretext he’s different.
I’ve heard worse debuts; then again I’ve heard better.
Weblink:Thomas Bromley.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Danger Ahead
2. Out There
3. Bye The Way
4. Standing Strong
5. Mark My Words
6. Home
7. Comfort Zone
8. Daisy
9. All The Things We Need
10. Saine
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.