Martyn Bates
The Return of the Quiet
(BRED 81, Nov 1987, Lp/Cassette)

Review 1

by Bob Stanley (Enero, 1988, NME)

MARTYN BATES was one half of Eyeless In Gaza, a duo who produced some of the most wayward yet wonderful records of the early ’80s. Martyns voice has become something special over the years so his first proper solo LP should be a treat.

It isn’t. Somewhere along the way Martyn has become obsessed with chart fodder pop. All the subtlety of tunes like ‘July Late Afternoon’ is swamped in synthesised pomp. The exquisite folksiness of Bates’ songwriting is clouded by a desire to be ‘modern’ at any cost. The arrangements are just too crowded a heavy-handed version of Burt Bacharach’s ‘The Look of Love’ is typical. Then there’s the appropriately titled ‘Sad Song of Almost’ where a sumptuous melody is spoilt by needless synthetic strings. Compared with ‘She Moves Thru the Fair’ from the last Eyeless Lp, Martyn’s voice has never been more moving as he sings the most melancholy of folk songs with no need for ANY backing.

The greatest shame is that when the clanking whirring noises subside the natural beauty of the songs shines through both the title song and ‘You’ve Got To Farewell’ confirm that Martyn Bates’ songwriting is still strong and true. Elsewhere, ‘Return of the Quiet’ is little more than an exercise in commercial music making.