George Wilding – Sign of Life (self-published)

October 24, 2024

Well, that’s a new sound. I find. Then again, I might have been out of the loop when it comes to this for a while George Wildingis music. When I last checked in, he was still pursuing a sound led by a spacious acoustic guitar, his music often wrapped in puns that even the good doctor, that is, John Cooper Clarke would have considered strong competition. But if that sound was epitomized by the masterful “Tchaikovsky on the Tambourine,” it is more the style of “Martha” that rounded out the same album. Insanewhich he seems to have pursued ever since.

And that’s where we find it in “Sign of Life.” Older and wiser, thoughtful and just as poetic as ever and he still revels in stories of love, life and relationships, his voice still penetrating into vocal ranges only resembling sound angels Jeff Buckleydared to enter. And luckily, he’s just as happy to express his general annoyance at the things that upset him in life, in this case, trying to pursue a relationship with someone glued to his phone. He used to enjoy playing the unhappy young harbinger of unrequited love, but now his worries and criticisms are those of a disgruntled adult. Welcome to the club, sir.

Musically, the acoustic guitar still beats at the heart of the song, but is now enveloped in (British) pop riffs and lush soundscapes, cool tones and seductive textures, an intricate web of gossamer sounds, all intertwined to create the perfect balance between to create comforting tonal weight and luxurious musical ethereality.

Not only is it a clever and beautiful song, but it’s also a reminder that I need to keep a better eye on George’s part of the musical landscape to make sure I don’t miss anything like I did. And by the way, it is Being Ragdollian really ten years old! Shit! Tempus is not a flop! And even more.