ALBUM REVIEW – Adam Walton – Afal
I’ve known Adam Walton for the best part of thirty years. We have a banter-like relationship and, I’d like to assume; a mutual respect for each other’s work in what we aspire for in the music scene. There’s nothing better than the buzz of hearing that an album has been bought on account of me playing it on the radio or writing about it.
Occasionally one of us steps from behind the radio microphone / laptop to stand up and perform. Today is Adam’s turn…
‘Afal’ on 12″ vinyl, has been in my collection since the start of this year, sitting sometimes under A and other times among the W’s. The trials and cruel obstacles that life puts before us have prevented an earlier release of this beautiful record.
Beautiful is not a word I would normally associate with Adam and his dusty veins, but the world of ‘Afal’ through his periscope eyes most certainly puts the sun onto your face. Unlike many (most) singer/songwriters of this ilk, not one of the songs on this record outstay their welcome. Instead they fill the room (your headphones) with warmth, hope and humility. Even the acid-tinged segues dotted between the songs work admirably and are worth expanding into an album of their own (Afal Asid?).
Songs like Emily Said (On Account Of The Days) are like seeing an old friend you have nothing but love and adoration for. Mary Sees UFOs has been released twice before, and I would happily celebrate it emerging again in the future. The template is to take the cream of post-Syd / pre-Dark Side Pink Floyd and mould it with Adam’s classical guitar and often trembling voice. It is not just man and acoustic guitar… the production is subtle without being obvious, and it delicately smooths the icing on this delicious cake.
The moon and the stars will always be there, so will ‘Afal’…