Whether as a solo artist or member of the Clean, David Kilgour has unswervingly excelled as a songwriter, creating extraordinarily memorable pop music for over twenty years and inspiring the likes of Yo La Tengo, Superchunk, and Pavement, among a multitude of other musicians. Coming mere months after the Clean's magnificent Getaway album, Kilgour's latest solo release,
A Feather In The Engine, offers further refined New Zealand pop.
"Sept.98," "Slippery Slide," "All The Rest," and "The Perfect Watch" are oblique tunes that rove through magnetic territory. The cornerstone of the disc is "Today Is Gonna Be Mine," a glorious song that rivals anything from the Clean's immensely captivating Vehicle release; the song rises on tremolo-laden impetus, featuring an enthralling vocal melody and lilting trumpet line. "Today Is Gonna Be Mine" will have you singing blissfully aloud on those long winter transit rides through austere, Winnipeg suburbs.
(This review originally appeared in
Stylus, CKUW Winnipeg's program guide)
By Rob Nay
Jul 23, 2002