Square 1

Square 1, the "difficult third album" from Dublin bedsit songwriter David Kitt will probably disappoint those wanting more of the quiet, reflective laments of Small Moments and The Big Romance. This is an upbeat album of songs written by a happy man and played with a full band. The album opens with two covers, both by Alex Chilton. The first, "I'm in Love with a girl" provides the listener with a short one-minute taster of what's to come--simple love songs.

"Me and My Love" kicks the album off properly and further sets the mood; the horns are reminiscent of Van Morrison's "Wave Length" or even early Stax records and give the song a definite lift. "Your Smiling Face" returns to the folk style that is expected of Kitt, but adds an ample dose of brass and strings. The waltz of "Faster and Faster" shows that Kitt is not ashamed of his heritage and confirms his ability to write a good tune. Throughout this album it's evident that Kitt is content and this makes for a very pleasant listen. Square 1 is a clear change in direction but it demonstrates again the craftsmanship in his songwriting. --Jamie Clark

Label: Unknown
Studio: Wea
Released: 2004-01-19
Format: Audio CD