Around the time of their debut, Lowgold were being touted as “the new Coldplay”. Then, as Chris Martin’s bunch went inexplicably stratospheric, singer/songwriter Darren Lee Ford and band disappeared without trace?until now. Welcome To Winners lacks the killer neo-MOR hooks of the first album, instead building momentum with the slo-mo ache of “Quiet Times” and “Means To An End”. The air of weary melancholy is sometimes a little overbearing, but Ford’s smooth, perfectly poised tone eventually proves irresistible. Elliott Smith associate Tony Lash produces, adding subtle electronic colour to “Keep Your Gun Dry” and “Clear The Skies”.
Advertisement