The Unfairground

Kevin Ayers
Lomax Records

Released: 10th September 2007
Catalogue Number: LOMAX024CD

CD

£8.69

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The founder of British psychedelia returns with his strongest album ever, accompanied and complimented by the musicians he inspired. 'The Unfairground' is a wonderful mixture of "deliciously skewed melodies" and his trademark languid charm, featuring guest turns from members of Teenage Fanclub, Euros Childs and Candie Payne. Welcome to The Unfairground.

“The results are replete with the languid charm that has been Ayers' stock in trade throughout his performance career, that amiable baritone marked by an amiable world-weariness he muses over the redemptive power of love. The arrangements furnish some of the beguiling aspects of The Unfairground from the strings undulating like a carnival calliope on the title-track and the horns adding a stately mariachi tone to ‘Baby Come Home’, to the nightmarish soundscape of piano, eerie strings and squally lead guitars that tracks his fearful reverie in ‘Brainstorm’. But whatever the situation, Ayers amenability shines through regardless, a wave of warmth that can lighten the heaviest soul.”
Uncut – Andy Gill - FOUR STARS

“There’s the bright, airy, deliciously skewed melodies running on one man’s woozy musical rollercoaster.”
The Sun – Simon Cosyns - FOUR 1/2 STARS

“A vintage Harvest hallmarked by its sonic joie de vivre. The Unfairground finds Ayers rejuvenated and stands comparison with his best work. It’s A Grand Cru.”
Mojo – Mike Barnes - FOUR STARS (ALBUMS OF THE YEAR)

“The first album in 15 years from the mercurial Soft Machine founder features the contributions of a global troupe of fans, including Teenage Fanclub, Euros Childs, Candice Payne and the underrated Americans Ladybug Transistor. Energized by younger collaborators the results are often inspired. ‘Walk on Water’ is just lovely ‘Baby Come Home’ is a charming duet with Bridget St John.”
The Times – Steve Jelbert - FOUR STARS

“The results are a joy exuding the same charm that has always characterised his best work even when staring mortality right in the face on Only Heaven Knows.”
Q – Peter Kane - FOUR STARS

“The Unfairground, his first studio album since 1992 and, more important, his best work since heyday. Over 10 taut tracks, his deep rich voice still defiantly English middle-class vocals grace a beguiling mix of jaunting folk, while poetic lyrics look back over his life and reluctantly accept the arrival of his old age.”
The Sunday Times – Lisa Verrico

“Rich with strings, original ideas, lovely melodies and you realise this album is not about treading in those old footsteps song after song. It's about bringing new and old talent together to make a really lovely sound.”
OHM – Gemma Hampson - FOUR STARS

“The father of the underground. Ten songs of quiet weary beauty.”
Daily Telegraph – Garth Cartwright

“Brings to mind the late John Peel, who once said: "Kevin Ayers' talent is so acute, you could perform major eye surgery with it."
The Independent – Pierre Perrone

“Songs are bathed in beautiful string and horn arrangements, the perfect setting over which - in damn fine voice - Ayers pours out some of his most emotional and reflective lyrics. ‘Walk on Water’ is a peach, as is ‘Friends and Strangers’, which could be about death, betrayal or poisoned romance. ‘Run Run Run’ which, with it's infectious chorus and final trumpet note, leaves you wanting more, as every perfect 10 song, 30 minute album should.”
Record Collector – Ian Shirley - FOUR STARS

“As with the best of Ayers’ 1970s work, there is a sense that the listener is entering a self-contained musical universe, which defines itself on its own terms. It is a world of brightness and color. A bridge has been formed between the old and the new - between the 63-year old founding father of British psychedelia, and younger admirers such as Ladybug Transistor and Architecture In Helsinki, members of whom accompany him throughout. The sheer catchiness of the songwriting lends the material a straightforward initial appeal, which peels away over time to reveal something altogether more subtle and elusive at its core.” Stylus Magazine – Mike Atkinson A-

1. Only Heaven Knows
2. Cold Shoulder
3. Walk On Water
4. Friends and Strangers
5. Shine A Light
6. Wide Awake
7. Baby Come Home
8. Brainstorm
9. Unfairground
10. Run Run Run;