On first listening, the debut album from Tino Dico, occasional vocalist with Zero 7, does little to stand out from the gaggle of female singer-songwriters deluging the charts at the moment.
Filled with stories of break-ups and ponderings on love lost, ‘In the Red’ could prove a true soul mate to the recently heartbroken or all those who secretly indulge in the word of self-help books.
But there is something endearing about the soothing and troubled tones of the Scandinavian’s voice that draw you in to her melancholy tales. And after a few listens you could find yourself singing along in the mirror to the power chorus about the dishonest ex in ‘Losing’, the second and most recent single to be taken from the album.
And despite the heart-on-her-sleeve lyrics, the music has an underlying optimism that may just put a spring in your step. There are touches of hope in a story of runaway lovers in ‘Head Shop’ and Ms Dico almost becomes upbeat in ‘Room with a View’. But too much indulgence in this slow-paced, angst-ridden music can soon leave you feeling exhausted and reminiscing about scenes of teen heartache from Dawson’s Creek.
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Definitely an album for a night in filled with moping and self-indulgence. If you do manage to get through the 12 tracks of emotional turmoil without running out of the house for more tissues to wipe away your tears, the finale, ‘Long Goodbye’, might be the straw that broke the camel’s back, as you reach out for a pot of ice-cream and your favourite self-help guide…
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