Excuses for Travellers

by

Mojave 3

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This CD has long been a darling in my collection. I mention it a lot, reccomend it to friends, play it when I'm feeling down. Something about this album evokes a very strong emotion in me and gives me a very self-fulfilled feeling. I don't know how they've done it, but Mojave 3 have created a great album.

Neil Halstead sings on all but one song, and his wispy vocals are a highlight. He tells stories of love lost and gone wrong, of trying to make it in a big world that owes you nothing, of heartache, but of the glory that comes out of that sadness. The remaining track ("Bringin' Me Home") has vocal duties handed over to Rachel Goswell, which is one of the album's most delightful moments: a somewhat more chipper (in mood at least) song in the vein of Belle & Sebastian.

Musically, the album evoke a solid image. Some songs especially ("My Life in Art," "In Love With a View," "Prayer for the Paranoid," "She Broke You So Softly") recall images of sunsets, cowboys and dusty trails. Slide guitars, mellow strumming and lighter percussion paints the pictures in lots of warm colours. Of course it's not a country album, precisely, but the songs mix a strong country influence with some folk and pleasant soft rock to create that kind of mood. This is a largely acoustic album, but electric lead parts create some of the most gorgeous moods. It also has a full band sound to it, with the bass and drums sometimes more prevalent than others, but always providing the perfect backing.

One big criticism I've heard of this album is the fairly even level of the songs keep througout (ie: no variety). It's true that Mojave 3 really only do one thing here, but they do it very well, in my humble opinion. Check 'em out.

Released in 2000, EXCUSES FOR TRAVELLERS was the third album by Mojave 3. It continues Neil Halstead's firm creative control and consuming interest in 1960s singer-songwriters. This time, Mojave 3 has adopted American country and bluegrass elements, with prominent use of banjo and harmonica.

If you enjoy Nick Drake or Neil Young, then what Mojave 3 has now become may appeal to you. But those hoping for a return to the ethereal atmosphere of Mojave 3's first album -- or the spacy music that Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell had earlier recorded as Slowdive -- will be very disappointed here. While I felt the previous album was far beneath the considerable talents of these musicians, OUT OF TUNE was at least fairly engaging and memorable. EXCUSES FOR TRAVELLERS, on the other hand, proved forgettable -- well, I do remember my chagrin at Halstead's repetitive lyrics and goofy posturing.

At least Rachel Goswell performs main vocals here on "Bringin' Me Home" and backing vowels on "She Broke You So Softly", after she went completely unheard on OUT OF TUNE. Unfortunately, her voice is not at its best in the former, so it's little consolation.