Drivel at midnight

6:26pm Monday 12th May 2008

Either Side of Midnight Jack McManus Another of the Brit School of Performing Arts alumni, Jack McManus has got the standardised and uncontroversial sound which seems to emanate from this establishment, often hailed as a hotbed of UK talent.

But unless bland, nondescript and frankly, whiney music is your idea of talent, the Brit School pupils often leave a lot to be desired and unfortunately this is the case for young McManus.

He may have been in the same year as Amy Winehouse, but none of her soul seems to have rubbed off.

Either Side of Midnight is an ambitious debut for a musician who certainly has a lot of technical ability, McManus' piano playing is moving and intricate to varying degrees, but it just doesn't hit the mark.

The songs all blend into one, with the same whiny voice and trite lyrics cropping up over and over again.

By track four I was praying that some sort of electric cut would mean I wouldn't have to subject myself to the entire album.

Many critics have hailed Jack McManus as the next big thing but beyond the media hype there is little that sets him apart from other artists.

Inoffensive drivel is probably the best way to describe this album.

RATING: ** katy woodhouse