Steve Gunn Time Off

Steve Gunn returns this week with a new album on the reliably classy Paradise of Bachelors, and this time he’s got a backing band. Gunn has enlisted the brilliant John Truscinski and Justin Tripp. The press release twice describes the collection as “affecting, accessible and articulate”, and it’s right both times.

Gunn’s world-wearing guitar picking takes centre stage, weaving patient raga-esque repeated patterns with delicate folky grace, accompanied capably by his subtle, understated rhythm section and topped off by Gunn’s breathy, plangent vocal which often comes over like Elliott Smith minus the despair. It’s a really soothing mixture, impeccably produced, spacious and warm with easy Neil Young-ish slacker grooves and confident, breezy and repetitive guitar wrangling. A delight. That’s all I have to say about it I’m afraid.