All good things come to those who wait: after more ventures and aliases than he can probably even recall himself, Glenn Donaldson has finally reached the career stage where his art can support this multitude of projects, of which The Red, The Pinks & Purples seems to be one of most permanence.
Acknowledge Kindness is the tenth chapter of that particular story, one it’s creator says is in thrall to lush indie romanticism of the Go Betweens’ classic 16 Lovers Lane. Donaldson has been around long enough however to make a that a virtue as opposed to a preoccupation – and as a result the album’s most resonant song is the hook laden Emo Band, a track that uses old tricks to parade new ones.
It’s not alone. Heaven Of Love takes a wry, distant view, Donaldson’s unadorned voice is perfectly framed, while tenderness appears unexpectedly—most notably in Build Love, where plaintive strings wrap the song in an almost physical intimacy. The finest moments, though, come not from shifts in mood but from emotional balance—Doubt In Vain’s graceful piano aches to broken promises, and New Leaf, opening with “You were a god/Under the bright moon,” totes a glinty eyed Americana. Acknowledge Kindness would be a great record whoever made it, or whatever they chose to call themselves.
You can read a full review here.
The Voice Of Unreason 