Broken Spindles

Solo projects all too often result in decadent pieces of crap that no one actually wants to listen to, especially if the artist is a bit indie-inclined. Thankfully, Joel Petersen has been in this game long enough to ensure that his fifth solo album contains no real traces of self-indulgence despite such solipsistic titles as "Introvert" and "No Mind Knows Mine." The latter turns out to be one of the highlights of a strong album that infuses electro styles into live recordings and somehow makes it work. So heavy is the atmosphere of sound that Petersen's lyrics are less important than the beats and harmonies his vocal lines create. If you do take the time to assess the words though, you realise that Petersen is looking outwards instead of inwards, and is appraising society and human relationships rather than his turmoil. He's done a lot with little on this release, proving once and for all that one head is equal to, if not better than, many.