Philip Selway's Familial was released earlier this week; People calls it "a dreamy solo debut." The Onion's A.V. Club calls it "a hushed, fragile collection" with some "truly beautiful, affecting tracks" The New York Post says "Selway's songs feature plain-speaking, personal lyrics and whistle-able melodies." Complex calls it "a warm, folk-ish record that’s a definite departure from his group’s previous catalog, while maintaining Radiohead’s standard for quality." Spinner features Selway in a video interview you can watch here.
Philip Selway's solo debut album, Familial, was released earlier this week on Nonesuch. People magazine gives the album three stars and calls it "a dreamy solo debut."
The Onion's A.V. Club, in its review of the album, suggests that Selway is Radiohead's George Harrison, the band member "interested in music’s quieter, reflective potential." Reviewer Chris Mincher sees Familial as "a hushed, fragile collection" and credits Selway with being "a fine singer, strong and clear even in his most intimate moments." Mincher picks some standout songs as "truly beautiful, affecting tracks." Read the review at avclub.com.
Metromix also calls attention to Selway's voice, advising: "Thom Yorke ought to be getting a little nervous; this guy has been hiding an excellent falsetto behind his drum kit."
---
The New York Post gives Familial three stars, describing it as "a pretty, melodic album of ultra-sensitive pop." Reviewer Dan Aquilante says, "Selway's songs feature plain-speaking, personal lyrics and whistle-able melodies." He goes on to cite several tracks on which Selway's "basic optimism about life is a near-perfect marriage with the uncluttered arrangements." Read more at nypost.com.
---
ClashMusic picks the album's opening track, "By Some Miracle," as today's song of the day. (You can watch the video in Tuesday's Nonesuch Journal.) Familial "is the work of a fresh new voice," writes Clash's Robin Murray. "Thoughtful without being
moribund, Selway's stripped back songcraft is a refreshing change from
the usual heartfelt soliloquies of first time songwriters." Read more at clashmusic.com.
---
Marc Ecko's Complex spoke with Selway as well about the new album, which it describes as "a warm, folk-ish record that’s a definite departure from his group’s previous catalog, while maintaining Radiohead’s standard for quality. Selway seems at home singing (for the first time) and working with a new group of musicians while taking a break from his legendary day job." You can read the interview at complex.com.
---
American Songwriter's Evan Schlansky spoke with Selway as well and calls the new album "a folky, layered, acoustic offering that splits the difference between Nick Drake and and Will Oldham." The two discuss, among other things, Selway's roots playing the acoustic guitar. Read the interview at americansongwriter.com.
---
Spinner features a video interview with Selway and categorizes the music of Familial as "sparse folk that reflects a 'warmth' he's looking for these days." Watch the interview below:
To pick up a copy of Familial with high-quality, 320 kbps MP3s of the complete album included at checkout, head to the Nonesuch Store.
- Log in to post comments
