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Although Pointy released this album, 'songs from a dazzling drift' could just as easily have been an Elephant 6 record. It provides cleverly penned tales that are at times silly and at other times haunting. Yo started out his musical journey fronting a band called Great Days of Sail, which perked up the ears of Xfm's John Kennedy and his listeners. They broke up before their ship sailed and Yo used the remaining wind to join the ranks of today's nouveau folk musicians with this, his debut solo album.
Though only nine songs call this album home, there is diversity and newness throughout. The sarcastic final track, DON'T BREAK THE HEART THAT LOVES YOU, recalls Neutral Milk Hotel, in its singsong nature and instrumentation. The song Pin Brooch Cabaret is softly strummed and sung, yet it produces horror movie chills that conjure up Black Heart Procession or Nick Cave with the words: "A night owl is out hunting and he hears the song I made for you as it spills from off my tongue." Many first albums by solo artists maintain the same sound throughout because they aren't steady enough in their footing to attempt branching out. Yo has no problem with this and I look forward to see where he goes from here.

Leigh Kelsey
April 2006

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