- Label: 'Tiny Dog Records'
- Genre: 'Pop'
- Release Date: '27th August 2021'
Our Rating:
Rhynes (pronounced ‘reens’) is the name given to irrigation ditches in England and Wales. One such is pictured on the cover.
Despite sounding like a band name, this is actually the solo work of Joe Atkinson who is also keyboard player with a band called Flipron.
Atkinson writes, sings and plays guitar, piano, organ, bass, harmonica and tambourine. He only calls for assistance when it comes to percussion. The Damned’s Rat Scabies plays on a couple of tunes including the Byrdsian opener Here She Comes. On other songs, Matty Bane of The Neville Staple Band takes on drumming duties.
The ten songs are pure pop: catchy, commercial and not overly concerned with exploring any dark places. His stated aim is to “find out what Big Star would sound like with Nicky Hopkins on piano.”
“I think it’s gonna be alright” he sings breezily in The Cold Light Of Day displaying an unashamed optimism which is both quaint and mildly contagious.
Atkinson has an ear for a good tune and is not afraid to present himself as an incurable romantic.
