Having had a hand in writing the How To Be A Britpop Band rulebook as one of the founding members of The Kinks, a certain weight of expectation lies on Other People s Lives, Davies first official solo release. Luckily, his knack for knocking together a

Having had a hand in writing the How To Be A Britpop Band rulebook as one of the founding members of The Kinks, a certain weight of expectation lies on Other People's Lives, Davies' first 'official' solo release.

Luckily, his knack for knocking together a tight, simple melody with some great lyrics has not waned.

Often hiding behind acquired personas, from The Tourist's wry observations of a fresh visitor in New Orleans, to the alcoholic resolved to start over in Things Are Gonna Change, the lyrics are weathered but never weary.

They also add weight to the agile, complementary music, which gads about from string-laden laments to driving rock. Great. 4/5