Album review: Simon Cousins – Given Songs

ALBUM REVIEW

Artist: Simon Cousins

Album: Given Songs

Reviewer: Stuart Todd

Given Songs is the first full length solo outing for local based singer songwriter Simon Cousins, formerly of the group The Onset with Mike Badger. Recorded at Staff Only Studios in Liverpool, production duties are shared with fellow singer songwriter Mark Byrne.

Country Girl is a story of longing for someone from long ago and sets the stage for a series of understated gems. The effortless approach works best on the heartfelt The Fact I Love You Now, which must qualify as a standard. Love, of course, is the overall theme and Cousins treats it as a proud celebration. He embraces the idea and accepts the complications that may arise from being in that place. Love is a journey that’s being explored.

Throughout these nine songs, there’s a thoughtful artist at work here. The production and musical accompaniment by Mark Byrne is sympathetic and compliments the material without getting in the way. The mellow country vibe is perfectly captured on Sometimes A Fool.

Also worth mentioning is the impressive front cover painting by Eleanor Walker, which is called Olivia. Is Olivia the inspiration behind these songs?

In a nutshell Given Songs is a sober listening experience that will leave you in a better place.

The album is available to buy from News From Nowhere on Bold Street, from the artist’s website, and from Amazon.

Simon Cousins will be one of the acts playing Liverpool Acoustic Garden at the Bluecoat on Saturday 23rd August at 1.00pm.

© 2014 Stuart Todd – Liverpool Acoustic

Simon Cousins

website – www.sicousins.co.uk

twitter – @simonfcousins 

Album review: Simon Cousins – Given Songs

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