Martin Rossiter - Defenestration of St Martin Review (Britpop)

Martin Rossiter, former front man for 90's Britpop group, Gene, has just released his first solo album since Gene's breakup in 2004. Martin has not been entirely out of the music scene in these last eight years, but this certainly is the strongest sign that he is back and in full form. "The Defenestration of St. Martin" is, at least in this listener's ear, a total triumph, an instant classic, and a record that fans will be able to turn to again and again over the years without ever growing tired.

Martin returns to his intensely introspective lyrical style that is positively gripping, heart wrenching, and racked with pain. The difference here, however, is that he makes the obviously conscious decision to do away with the standard rock background of guitars and drums and present his voice with nothing but his own piano accompaniment. His voice, still as emotively beautiful as ever, is now older and more distinguished for the lyrics that mix and intertwine so perfectly with the somber piano. It is Martin Rossiter at his gut-wrenching best and he has certainly put his soul into this album.

The first and longest track on the album, "Three Points on a Compass," tackles the weighty subject of domestic abuse and at over ten minutes long, it is weighty indeed. Yet, by the end of my first listen, I wanted more from this man who can speak straight from the human heart. One of the more memorable songs, lyrically at least, is "I Must Be Jesus," where Martin is contemplating his childhood suffering and how it has affected all his endeavors to the present day, how his sorrows and suffering seem to be meaningless, and thus he feels he must be Jesus Christ, brought to earth to suffer for no reason. It is a marvelous feat to be able to craft a song that can have you laughing and crying at the same time. It also ties in perfectly with his brilliant album title. The first single from the album, "Drop Anchor," is a heart wrenching love song with a twist, with clever lyrics and a gorgeous melody. There is a curious stuffed animal in the promotional video which Martin has said was the only thing he has from his grandmother, thus accentuating the intensely personal tone of the entire record. He ends the album with a very short electric guitar, bass, and drum break which to me does not do much musically for the album but seems to signify, "Yes, I could have had a band if I wanted it, but presenting these songs with only my voice and my piano was my conscious purpose and intent. This is all me." I'm so thankful he went the route he did.

This album is simply beautiful from beginning to end. It is personal and introspective, yet it manages to cover a full range of human experience. The music is haunting and the melodies will stay with you - I couldn't recommend it more. "The Defenestration of St. Martin" casts Martin Rossiter as a premier songwriter.      

85/100