CD Review

Artist: Hawksley Workman

Title: Between The Beautifuls

Label: Universal Music Canada

Released: January 29^th 2007

4 Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Between The Beautifuls is Hawksley Workman's eleventh studio album, and even though you may have never heard of him, now might be the best time to do find out more. Workman's music is often referred to as glam rock meets cabaret pop; which can definitely be heard in tracks like ‘Alone Here (Ballad of Bunches Of Things),' but if the truth be told, Workman draws on a wide range of influences. Such as the track ‘No Stillness and No Rain,' you would swear you are listening to a cross between Elton John and Coldplay, but as the song progresses the strong Canadian influence of The Guess Who can be heard rounding off the track. Most of Between The Beautifuls is a collection of intimate yet dynamic songs that sound like a soundtrack to a well-lived life.

Workman's sound, much like a balloon flying around in the wind, always seems to hold onto his own sound, but also immerses himself within an appealing reference point of music that you can see where the sound of each track is originally drawn from. Like the balloon, Workman's unique sound seems to sway over from one style of music to another, while remaining its own self-contained entity the whole time.

Between The Beautifuls is a strong collection in the evolution of Workman's music, and with the albums first single ‘Piano Blink' you can clearly hear the strength and almost romantic echo to a playful but melancholy track. It is this layering of emotions and influences that makes Workman's music so delightful to the ear. Workman has a rich and emotive vocal range, committing to every word of the songs he's wrote for Between The Beautifuls. In addition to being a creative force towards his own development, Workman also produces albums for such spectacular talent as Sarah Slean, Serena Ryder, and Teagan and Sara.

Although I had many favourite tracks to choose from, I would have to say that ‘The City Is A Drag' was a great song with a very glam rock fell to it, paired with a pithy and sharp lyric.

Simply, Between The Beautifuls is another leg up the ladder of Hawksley Workman's development as a craftsman of his music and an artist, but with so many solid tracks to choose from, this might be the album that brings Workman to a much larger audience.  

1. All the Trees Are Hers
2. Alone Here (Ballad of Bunches of Things)
3. It's Not Me
4. No Stillness and No Rain
5. Oh You Delicate Heart
6. Piano Blink
7. Pomegranate Daffodil
8. Prettier Face
9. September Lily
10. The City Is a Drag
11. What Would You Say to Me, Lord?
12. Piano Blink (Los Manlicious mix) (bonus track)