Uncut Magazine -- 4 stars -- “the chemistry clicks instantly between composer and soulman
Oct 27th, 2009Composer and soulman: the summit meeting. An odd mix on paper, perhaps, but the chemistry clicks instantly on this bejewelled union between Nyman’s cool-headed orchestral modernism and McAlmont’s highly charged, octave-vaulting soul-pop voice.
The Glare is a concept album of sorts, with McAlmont adapting existing pieces from Nyman’s canon into first-person chamber-pop vignettes inspired by contemporary issues. He becomes a captured Somali pirate in the strident “Going to America”, and even - perhaps - an unnamed Susan Boyle in the mournful title track, where he out-vamps Antony Hegarty in the tremulous yearning stakes.
A commendably bold experiment.