Love Songs: For and Against

• Artist: Guy Forsyth
• Rating:
• Release Date: August 23, 2005
• Genre: Blues

Review

At first, erstwhile blues-rocker Guy Forsyth's first solo album in half a decade sounds much closer to Beck than the Fabulous Thunderbirds: opening track "Long Long Time" sets an addictive chorus against an ongoing spoken word rant about the degradations of America's consumer culture, and covers the whole thing with fuzz guitars, distorted vocals, and unexpected touches like producer Mark Addison's bouzouki and harmonium. The rest of the album isn't quite so shocking a departure from Forsyth's earlier, more traditional blues-rock material, but it still expands upon that sound to include different sounds and textures. Combine the varied and engaging arrangements with Forsyth's strongest collection of songs yet and Love Songs: For and Against is clearly his finest solo work. Highlights: "Brand New Day" includes faux tropical elements while managing to avoid sounding like Jimmy Buffett, while "Rise Up" adds a subtle hip-hop beat to an otherwise straightforward urban blues narrative, and the sardonic blues lullaby "Take Advantage" sets some well-aimed political commentary to a piano-based tune strongly reminiscent of Sail Away-era Randy Newman. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Long Long Time	Guy Forsyth, Mark Addison, Nina Singh	Guy Forsyth	(4:02)
Beautiful Mistake	Guy Forsyth, Mark Addison, Nina Singh	Guy Forsyth	(4:47)
Brand New Day	Guy Forsyth, Malcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne	Guy Forsyth	(4:01)
Mamma's Favorite	Guy Forsyth	Guy Forsyth	(4:04)
On My Own	Guy Forsyth, Mark Addison, Nina Singh	Guy Forsyth	(2:11)
Heart-Shaped Hole	Guy Forsyth	Guy Forsyth	(4:21)
Rise Up	Guy Forsyth, Michael Ramos	Guy Forsyth	(4:14)
Take Advantage	Darden Smith, Guy Forsyth	Guy Forsyth	(2:42)
Patient's Blues	Guy Forsyth, Carolyn Wonderland	Guy Forsyth	(5:15)
105	Guy Forsyth, Mark Addison, Nina Singh	Guy Forsyth	(3:42)
So Hard	Guy Forsyth, Mark Addison, Nina Singh	Guy Forsyth	(4:15)
When It All Comes Down	Guy Forsyth	Guy Forsyth	(5:15)
Shake It in a Circular Motion	Guy Forsyth	Guy Forsyth	(1:53)

Credits

Guy Forsyth (Guitar), Guy Forsyth (Harmonica), Guy Forsyth (Drums), Guy Forsyth (Ukulele), Guy Forsyth (Vocals), Guy Forsyth (Saw), Guy Forsyth (Guitar (Baritone)), Mark Addison (Organ), Mark Addison (Bass), Mark Addison (Bouzouki), Mark Addison (Guitar), Mark Addison (Piano), Mark Addison (Harmonium), Mark Addison (Vocals), Mark Addison (Producer), Mark Addison (Engineer), Mark Addison (Mixing), Mark Addison (Loop), Mark Addison (Guitar (Baritone)), Nina Singh (Drums), Nina Singh (Sound Effects), Nina Singh (Tambourine), Nina Singh (Vocals), Nina Singh (Rattle), Carolyn Wonderland (Vocals), Rob Gjersoe (Guitar), Rob Gjersoe (Lap Steel Guitar), Pam Miller (Vocals), Bart Willis (Illustrations), Josh Gravelin (Bass), Josh Gravelin (Vocals), Wendy Colonna (Vocals)