Disco de Everclear: “Songs from an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile [Japan]”

1997's "Medicine 4 My Pain" announced Lynden David Hall as a soul singer to contend with and the unique twist of course being Lynden is English. Spurred on by the hit single "Sexy Cinderella" he joined Omar, Lewis Taylor, Beverley Knight etc amongst the few credible acts of this genre in the UK. His followup effort was highly awaited...

"The Other Side" is in no way an anti-climax. Lynden steps up the assault on all levels, the only downside being lack of true commercial singles which led to his downfall. On this album in my opinion the artist improves his songcraft and production immeasurably even though the debut was an excellent beginning chapter.

Given deep listening you will find lush strings recalling Curtis Mayfield, vocal inflections equal parts Al Green, D'Angelo and Sly Stone and excellent crisp production. "Sleeping With Victor" is a true highlight, recalling Prince at his most carefree and skittish this acoustic led tale is also very humorous. Meshell Ndegeocello guests on bass guitar.

The other singles, the relaxed "Forgive Me" and "Let's Do It Again" (A cover of the Curtis Mayfield-penned Staple Singers hit) are also excellent, although perhaps lacking the instant hook needed for high chart action.

Two other favourites of mine would be album opener "If I Had To Choose" and "Where Is God?". "Where Is God?" sees Lynden reflecting on religion in this most jaunty number and "If I Had To Choose" continues the theme of confronting his father from the title track of "Medicine...". This time however he addresses the issues in a funky defiant manner (Meshell is on bass duties again) as opposed to the former's brooding ballad stylings.

Over the length of fourteen tracks there are no lulls in proceedings and a cohesive, consistent, concept remains throughout. Sadly this album lacked mainstream appeal and would prove his last for EMI, he lost his deal soon after. That doesn't stop this LP being one of the finest efforts of 2000 and to date Lynden's crowning glory... check it out.

Lynden's website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lyndendavidhall/

This CD is a real find and worth the hefty import price!!! While Hall never gets mentioned with fellow UK'rs Craig David and Hil St. Soul, he's just as good. Maybe even better. I first heard him on Comcast Cable's digital R&B channel (411). The radio remix of "Forgive Me" is on very, very limited rotation and it blew me away. So, I purchased the CD and found it packed with great tunes including "If I Had To Choose", "Say It Ain't So", "U Let Him Have U", "Hard Way" The planets must be aligning because I then found a used UK copy of his first CD and started groovin' to "Qualify". In all the songs the beats are tight and Hall's scratchy soulful singing always stands out. His voice is a little funkier than most R&B balladeers and compares favorably to D'Angelo and even Sly Stone. Whatever the case, "Other Side" is now on heavy rotation -- on my CD player along with Dave Hollister's Chicago; Jessie Powell's - "About It"; Jaheim's - Ghetto Soul; Hil St. Soul's -Organic Soul; Angie Stone's -Mahogany Soul; + India.Arie, Ruff Endz, Koffee Brown, Tweet, Missy, Bilal, Misuq, Tyrese. Some pretty tough company -- and he fits right in.

Well what can I say about Lyndens's second album. First of all I have to say that I don't have his first album unfortunetly becuase I can't find it anywhere, anyway back to my review of the album. What can I say...hmmmmmm...buy it. My favourite songs on the cd are, Forgive me, Hard way, To be a man (which is a cool slow song), Other side and of course my favourite being, Wanna be another you, which is a cool sexy song dedicated to the girl that you love. Sleeping with Victor is a cool catchy song. The cd also contains two gospel type songs my favourite of those being Where's god. Well to the end point, this is a great cd and a must have, unlike some other albums, the more you listen to the album the more you will like it. Must have.

After his excellent debut'Medicine 4 my Pain', Lynden released his sophmore effort mid 2000. After the critical acclaim of 'Medicine' EMI/Cooltempo sought to push Lynden into a more commercial angle, as is there right, after all they are in the business of making money. This album is a great example of why British soul artists rarely do well on major labels. The label, as mentioned, seeks to get as much money back as it can from it's investment. As in this case, this is normally at the expense of the actual product. Make no mistake, this albums has some fine songs on here,but, I think the the songs chosen for single release did not really make the buying public want to go out and cop this CD.'Sleepng with victor' whilst well sung as always by Lynden, to me, is a novelty song, that after repeated hearing soon becomes boring. 'Forgive me' and Let's do it again' again whilst Lynden does his best with these toons, there are better songs on the CD.

Strong single contenders? Take your pick from the rousing 'If I had to choose', the silky smooth 'U let him have you', the acoustic beauty of 'Don't wanna talk' the light and summery 'Are we still cool, where Lynden sings in an off key kinda way, to my personal fav'Dead and Gone' which builds to a rousing climax, and then then with just his voice, and the acoustic guitar.

As mentioned in a previous review, this was Lynden's last project for EMI. An artist needs time to grow, and given that time, Lynden, with the might and publicity of a major label behind him, is a star-in-waiting.