What album review did I miss for it’s release yesterday? Tim Williams’ “Careful Love” damn it!

Careful Love - Tim Williams

So the last couple of days were just lazy days for me, what can I say…the PVR was calling my name..

One album that I was meaning to post about yesterday was the Tim Williams album “Careful Love” – a nice little release with 10 tracks that range from jangly indie pop (“Right All Along”, “I Hit Another Wall”) to darker, melancholic ballads (“Murderous Air”, “All In”).  There is something to be said about an album that you can put on and simply listen to it – this album can be a full affair, no real weak tracks aboard.  The other thing that I eluded to is that you are not confronted by 10 tracks that are all slightly different versions of the same formula – he is a singer songwriter at his base, but this album specifically is bringing in a fuller sound (lots of brooding piano at times) and it shows that Tim Williams is coming into his own.

I have listened to Williams in the past, mostly his 2007 release “When Work Is Done” which you can find 4 tracks used for his Daytrotter session as well.  That album was similar to “Careful Love” and can be seen as a true predecessor to Careful Love – which is nice, you don’t want to find something that you like and then you listen to another album and it is in left field comparably.  This Tim has his head screwed on, me thinks.  You might find the true indie diehards a bit harder of a sell on Williams sound as it can get a bit “pop”, but you know they are tapping their toes to it while pretending to be looking for obscure bootlegs.  This is another thing about the album, its accessible and will find a home in many different homes.  Don’t shy away if you feel you need lo-fi or if you need more grit…this album (and Williams in general) has its own force, while not for everyone you can’t deny it.  I admit that his power-indie ballads are more to my taste, but some of up-tempo tracks are great – not to over the top, just catchy enough to still be a good listen.

I have an approved track from Dovecote Records below and you will most definitely find it stuck in your head after listening, but I urge you to find your way to listening to the slower, darker moments as well (mentioned above) as they are were Williams does excel.  Take a listen to both sides of the album below;

“I Hit Another Wall” – Tim Williams, from 2009’s “Careful Love”
“Murderous Air” – Tim Williams, from 2009’s “Careful Love”

Just a note that the album cover above is not only a cover but a symbol of Tim Williams’ recent life experience and album inspiration.  From his MySpace page:

“Tim Williams had a change of heart–literally. In May 2008, Williams underwent intensive open-heart surgery that left him bedridden in recovery throughout most of the fall. Once out of the hospital, Williams immediately began writing/rehearsing new material…”

Visit/Purchase Tim Williams;

*Bonus video of “I Hit Another Wall”

~Smansmith