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Album Details

• Artist: Iain Archer
• Album: Flood The Tanks
• Label: Bright Star / PIAS
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-09-04

While you may not know Iain Archer by name yet, you might recognize some of the bands that he has played guitar in. Iain has played in Snow Patrol as well as Reindeer Section. He is off on his own again, and I say again because he released a couple albums before getting hooked up with the aforementioned bands. Flood The Tanks is the first for quite some time so in all intents and purposes, we'll call this his debut. He showcases some pretty sharp songwriting here on tracks like "Running In Dreams", a song that doesn't seem to slow down for anything. The closes songwriter I can think of to his style might be Pete Yorn. That is due to the delicate delivery with some catchy riffs. The songs are all warm as well as very original. I am most impressed with Archer's vocals. They are intimate and very melodic proving that it was time for him to step into the spotlight. Listen to the shimmering arrangements he has created on gentle songs like "Not Your Self" for further proof. He is able to provide a lush soundscape without going over the top. But when we get to "Summer Jets" I immediately fell in love. This is one of the most intoxicating songs I have heard this year. Flood The Tanks is quite an accomplishment for a former sideman, moving out into the front. I would keep an eye out for Iain Archer in the coming year(s).

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