Nick Gladdish - Tea & Sympathy 
Release Date: Out Now
Devon born but Newcastle based singer-songwriter Nick Gladdish has just released his latest long-player with the oh-so-English title of 'Tea & Sympathy'. It's the title track that we start with as we ease into the album on a grey and emotionally heavy afternoon with a sense of despair at its heart. Similarly, 'It'll Be Fine (She Said)' has a sadness to it but with a punchier and more direct melody that speaks of new beginnings and fresh starts. 'The Spoonfed Dead' completes the opening trio with a Paul Simon meets George Harrison guitar sound before 'Protect Their Power' moves us over to a pub piano for a Feeder meets the Beatles ballad that packs a fair punch.
Surprisingly, 'Sinking Ship' bounces along a fair lick with an urgent, itchy beat and guitars that would work on a Franz Ferdinand or early Paul Weller record. There's a 90s vibe (almost Britpop) vibe to 'Budge' (think Cast or Lightning Seeds) while 'Tourist' fits more in the Del Amitri meets Crowded House segment of the songwriters Venn diagram. The stomp of 'Underdogs' sounds like Bon Jovi had they grown up on the banks of the Tyne and I can imagine this one being a live favourite.
Penultimate track 'Familiar Territories' provides a mellow slice of Americana with lush vocal harmonies before the album closes out on 'Us', the strongest track on the album with its weighty acoustic strums, duet vocals and a satisfying build to a Fleetwood Mac-esque crescendo. This is an album awash with influences and ideas that make it worth your while as you sift through and uncover new treasures with each listen.
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