Just when you think it’s getting a little bit predictable out there up pops a gem like this. Jackdaw 4 is the brainwave of Willie Dowling, a sort of ‘Roy Castle’ of Rock. He’s credited with all the songwriting (ably abetted by others on only four tracks). Plays five instruments and sings. Then to cap off a busy old time he’s produced, engineered and mixed the album too. Time for a lie down, me thinks! 

This is a strange fish to say the least as it’s almost out of the remit of HardRockHouse. But if we’re reviewing The Proclaimers then anything is possible! So imagine Squeeze and Crowded House at their pomp. Then throw in a few mild EMO influences (this is not an EMO album though) plus a bit of prog and then suspend all belief as an imaginary Todd Rungdren pops in to do the backing vocals and song arrangements. Oh and the lyrics are a bit bizarre too. 

This is serious Power Pop, late seventies, early eighties vintage, reinvented for the 21^st Century. There’s not a bit of guitar shred in sight. And you know what? It works. It’s a long time since I’ve heard commercial songwriting and arranging like this and whilst I suspect most regular HardRockHouse readers will hate the sight of it, those that appreciate these things will probably fall in love with ‘Bipolar Diversions’ like I did. 

The Todd Rungdren style vocal harmonies are a joy throughout and best heard on ‘My Little Gangsta’ for Todd fans. ‘Frobisher’s Last Stand’ could have been a Squeeze song heavied up and ‘Jesus Wants My Soul Back’ has a feel of Alex Harvey about it. 

All in all this is for music lovers who still like to hear well crafted songs, top notch arrangements and those mega backing vocals. It’s quirky, old fashioned even, but Dowling’s done a great job on the production and it is to be hoped that his mini-masterpiece will actually get heard out there in the great beyond. If you have an open mind this is a great pop-rock album.

Let us know your views on Bipolar Diversions

Track Listing

Sooma
Frobsisher’s Last Stand
Jesus Wants My Soul Back
Bipolar Diversions
My Little Gangsta
Heimlich’s Manoeuvres
All Around The World
Illuminati
The End Of The party
Sleep

Line Up

Willie Dowling - Guitars/Keys/Vocals
Hugo Degenhardt - Drums
Greg Hatwell - Guitars
Andy Lewis - Bass
Andy Robertson - Drums
John Steel - Guitars
Kate Stephenson - Drums