Neal Hoffmann - Untrained Heart (Special Edition) (2018)

'It's a long time since I have heard a set of songs I wanted to hear over and over again, but this is such a set' JUDY DYBLE // 'The supremely atmospheric Maybe Arizona draws you nicely in...' SOUND ON SOUND // 'Thought-provoking lyrics from a singer with something important to say' SPOONFED // Noir meets vivid shimmering gravel-road grit in this dream of an album that stays with you. After two albums as leader of the band Amphibic, this is a striking UK and solo debut. Voice, songs and arrangements are in the realm of the rare, the extra special. Impressive. And it puts Neal Hoffmann firmly on the map. Neal Hoffmann is a masterful songwriter/singer/musician/producer blending Americana with a Nordic vibe or sensibility and gorgeous arrangements. His voice is intimate with a dash of rasp and a deeply haunting quality. Very much an internationalist, Hoffmann is a quintessential international Londoner. He made his home in London after spending time in California working a summer job. Though born in Germany, Hoffmann has many Nordic connections, particularly various links to Norway. Initially, Hoffmann got into Chuck Berry and then started listening to a lot of British music. Later he began to favour American artists like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, particularly The River, and Tom Petty amongst others. Topping it off Hoffmann has a love of the Scandi approach to pop/roc. Over the last two to three years, Neal Hoffmann has taught himself all about recording. Untrained Heart was recorded in London and produced by Hoffmann. Hoffmann has made two previous albums as main man of the band Amphibic, recorded mostly in Germany, even while Hoffmann was living in London. Though in English, these albums were released by a German label, only in Germany plus Switzerland and Austria. They are: Film In My Head (2004) and mini-album There Were Millions Of Them (2008). Splendid Irish cellist Celine Barry was part of Amphibic and now she plays superbly on several tracks. Varied, concise, cohesive. Top-notch. Classy lyrics are everywhere. 'In a different land far, far away...you might have understood...me'; 'maybe sand dunes remind us, of what happens to mountains'. In Untrained Heart: incredible 11-part strings, a girlfriend who can't see clearly, and a reflective man still in love ('women I meet give me a wide berth, they seemed to know you're still around...still around...somehow'). Not Johnny Cash is about being yourself. Hoffmann inserts the wonderful twist 'not turning into anyone'. One of Them has Hoffmann switch things outward in the last chorus to say 'now I stand here and I'm one of you'. Then the gorgeous Summer Time Bliss makes use of an old, cheap East German glockenspiel brilliantly. It starts by looking forward; by the end you re there. Nine great original tracks. Hoffmann has a real, unforgettable way with songs and music.