Ian Passey knows how to write a pop song. The writer, performer and producer behind THE HUMDRUM EXPRESS has definitely got a talent for coming up with catchy bits and pieces and putting them into something you can er, hum along too. That said, there’s a distinctly ‘home made’ feel about the 11 recordings on his album ‘All Aboard’, but that doesn’t really matter.
‘Wake Up Call’ is the first song on the album, a good choice for an opener as it’s also the most memorable. There’s a smart bass line and Passey provides the first example of his knack for picking out a chorus in a way that’s instantly amiable.
‘Have You Noticed’ is good as well – a nicely tempo-ed minor chord meander. There’s a bit of a ska flavour about ‘Out With The In Crowd’ and whilst it perhaps doesn’t work quite so well as the first two it’s still pretty catchy.
After those three tracks the album heads off into slightly less notable territory. Passey is a fine singer but on occasion – like ‘Consolation Prize’ – the vocals can struggle for prominence against the better produced instrumentation. ‘Nonsense Burger’ has a refreshing punkier feel, but doesn’t quite manage to reach the dizzy heights of the first songs. Still, throughout the album it becomes apparent that he’s pretty handy with a guitar and – I’m presuming he does it all – has also developed a funky, Smiths-y set of basslines.
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The other thing that distinguishes The Humdrum Express is the use of guitar and vocal effects. Admittedly, they are sometimes overused and therefore slightly off-putting, but they give many of the songs a pleasant eighties tinge.
I don’t know if The Humdrum Express play live – I’d like to hear and see these songs performed close up – but as a record "All Aboard" is genuinely likeable. Definitely a decent effort.
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