Craig Terris

Bleat Your Heart Out

I’m In The Milk Records

The opening track, If We All Come Clean, sets a lovely tone for this, Craig Terris’ solo album. So often Terris has been in the supporting role, as drummer and backing vocalist, but here he stands front and centre, belting out a set of proud songs that have the heart of stadium rock and a head for indie cool-charm pop. Of course, on the album it’s Terris playing drums too – and most of the instruments. And that in itself is a reason to listen – and enjoy. But if the multi-instrumentalist/one-man-band tag is what gets you through the door you’ll stay for the songs. Songs with heart – songs (How Do I Speak, Hazy Nights And Lazy Days) that have a joy to them; such obvious jubilation in the delivery.

And then there’s the album’s centrepiece, single Ahead Of The Storm. If you can imagine a Luke Buda solo album being influenced by a handful of the synth-driven tracks from Shihad’s The General Electric then you have some hint of the odd/brilliant charm of Ahead Of The Storm.

Bleat Your Heart Out is a short, sharp pop record that is packed with ideas. And I love it for that. I’ve been returning to it because I can’t sum it up – and no one song sums it. The opener sets a lovely tone, as I said at the start of this review. But from there Terris moves around inside the songs, the songs move around inside the album. Everything feels like it belongs, but it’s very much an open-house/open-door policy. All ideas welcome.

I spoke with Craig Terris recently about some of his background and he offered some of the story of the making of this album. Created over three years, these songs feel lived in. And the record doesn’t feel like a hopeful, wishful debut. It feels like a strong statement.

[Craig Terris Band will play in store at Slow Boat Records, 3pm, Saturday November 24]