Mike Gale - Thanks For Always Waving (self-released)

In a realm where bands and artists often let the sands of time trickle away, leaving two, three, five years, sometimes even a decade between their musical offerings, it’s downright refreshing to stumble upon an artist who operates on a more sensible and timely rhythm. Enter Mike Gale, a prolific troubadour of our times. Over the past two decades, he’s bestowed upon us a bounty of twelve albums bearing his own name. And when you toss in his earlier incarnations as Co-Pilgrim and Black Nielsen, that tally balloons to a whopping twenty. That’s an average of one sonic expedition per annum, folks. It’s like a time warp back to the swinging sixties.

Now, let’s talk about the tune that paved the golden road to his latest album. “Summer Be Gone” is the kind of ditty that sets the stage beautifully with its pastoral grace and a hazy, early autumnal aura. Those who’ve been keeping their ears cocked in his direction will no doubt greet these gentle melodies with open arms. Picture drifting sonic landscapes, the subtlest shades of pathos, and a musical vista so lush it’s like gazing upon a masterfully painted canvas. It’s all about finesse and fragility, folks.

“Old Man In the Universe” exudes a slightly nostalgic Summer of Love vibe, as if it was plucked from the long-lost archives of Neil Young’s embryonic career or, perhaps later, from the mellowed-out sounds of Jackson Browne, maybe even a nod to the enigmatic Nick Drake. But don’t think it’s all about stripped-down minimalism. “I Enjoy My Existence” cranks up the volume a tad, adding a dash of weirdness that’s just the right kind of strange. And then there’s “Set It On Fire,” a track that feels like Paul Simon caught in a trance, riding on the rhythms of a Raga beat. Meanwhile, “Michael 6” paints a cinematic and fragmented soundscape that beckons your imagination.

Bottom line, it’s one hell of an album, but hey, we had a hunch it would be. The fact that Mike Gale can keep churning out albums of this calibre year after year is a testament to him and something to be cherished in this modern age of music. So, let’s raise a toast to the maestro and his relentless commitment to the craft. Here’s to the eternal groove of Mike Gale!

Spotify
Spotify
Grumble Pie
Summer Be Gone