The problem With It Feels So Good When I Stop is that it was recorded as an accompaniment to his novel of the same name, and though I know it would infinitely augment the quality of this review I can’t be bothered to read it.
However, if I was to take a wild stab at the nature of this book, I would guess that it’s about some lost slacker looking back on his life and loves with the music setting the time and the place – it does have that magical tardis-like quality.
It’s a familiar, almost banal idea, but Joe Pernice’s album of slow acoustic covers, and his warm enticing voice coax you in with all the drawing power of an open fire, a vinyl record player and some port.
And there are few things nicer than someone guiding you through the music they love and talking about it in relation to their lives. Pernice manages to do this with particular affection and simplicity.
He gives you the sense that, though the fictional character’s life has been full of heartbreak, as in Found A Little Baby (Plush), Chim Chim Cheroo demonstrates the fact that he is a resolutely positive, humorous man. It’s that or he loves shit films.
Ultimately I like this album a lot, not because it’s ground breaking or particularly amazing (it’s neither of those), but because it’s heartfelt, personal and charming – a pleasant winter warmer.
Yes, I realise it was released at the height of summer.
Release Date 21/08/2009
I started out writing for the Manchester Evening News as a freelance journalist back in 2008. The idea that I would be given free access to music and gigs seemed somehow miraculous to me, and I proceeded to take full advantage of the situation. When the M.E.N. decided to constrict its coverage to only the very biggest bands, Simon Poole approached me with a plan to make sure that all the very talented musicians of this world that pass through and/or live in Manchester would not go unnoticed. As the New Releases editor here at Silent Radio Towers, it remains my proud duty to cast a critical eye over the music and reviews that come my way in a manner that is both supportive and fair. Above all, I strive to write as entertainingly possible. Favourite musicians include the Pixies, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Mercury Rev, Os Mutantes, The Knife, Beach House etc etc. I'm a firm believer that all genres (except nu-metal) contain music of great quality...
