British musician Alexander Tucker made his rep as an electronic experimentalist, but apparently the lure of the song was too strong. Dorwytch, his fifth album, revolves around fingerpicked acoustic guitars, tasteful string arrangements and Tucker’s mellifluous singing, which is often reminiscent of Justin Hayward from the Moody Blues. Digital bleeps and buzzing drones make appearances (cf. “Dark Rift/Black Road,” “Jamie” and “Half Vast”), but the emphasis is definitely on song and melody. Tracks like “God’s Creature,” “His Arm Has Grown Long” and “Skeletor Blues” find a midpoint between the acid whimsy of Syd Barrett and the atmospheric melancholy of Nick Drake, with pretty tunes and enigmatic librettos. The sturdy beauty of Tucker’s tunesmithery finds its apex with “Sill,” four minutes and twelve seconds of electronic folk fairy dust. Experimental doodles may garner more respect in certain circles, but the song-based approach of Dorwytch feels deeper and more satisfying.
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