Search - Mojave 3 :: Excuses for Travellers

Pray for sunshine

GZA | London | 07/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Excuses for Travellers" is Mojave 3's third album, and in many ways it continues where "Out of Tune" left off. It has that same quality of sweetly regretful, slightly faded, country-flavoured melancholy, all gently strummed guitars, strings, banjos, harmonicas, brass sections, hammond organs and even a gospel choir. Though the level of songwriting is not quite as consistent as on "Out of Tune", there are some lovely moments. Return to Sender and When You're Drifting are two of them, while My Life in Art is a gorgeously melodic seven minutes - acoustic guitar, harmonica and hammond organ combining with sweetly mellow vocals to infuse the song with a warmth and tenderness that few can match. The way that Neil's and Rachel's voices complement each other is one of Mojave's great strengths, and perhaps underused on this album. "Excuses for Travellers" undoubtedly peaks with Prayer for the Paranoid, a poignantly beautiful acoustic ballad reminiscent of Nick Drake at his best. Overall, Mojaves 3's latest album is a warm, gentle affair, using very traditional songwriting forms to good effect. It won't blow you away, but it may well draw you in."

A beautiful album all the way through

GZA | 07/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i bought this album in england while i was there on vacation. once i heard the first track, "In Love With a View," i was hooked. i went back and purchased "Ask Me Tomorrow" which is also a great album. But this album is my all-time favorite. The songs are so fragile and Neil Halstead's lyrics are beautiful. They produced an innovative form of folk rock. I will always cherish this album."