Album: Ray Davies

Largely inspired by his experiences of living in New Orleans - up to the point where he was wounded in a mugging, at least - Ray Davies's solo debut seems perched on the cusp of optimism and melancholy, full of conflicting sentiments that presumably reflect a character in constant flux. No sooner has he reflected somewhat sourly about travellers in "The Tourist", for instance, than a train whistle prompts him to hanker after making "the great escape" himself in "The Getaway". Likewise, it's a toss-up which seems worse: the mutual suspicion of the couple in "Creatures of Little Faith" who opt to stay together despite everything, or the brusque kiss-off dished out by a former partner in "All She Wrote"? This ability to see things from different aspects pays biggest dividends on songs such as "Next-Door Neighbour", "Things Are Gonna Change" and "Is There Life After Breakfast?", whose protagonists are engaged in a constant struggle to slough off the doldrums and face life head-on again, despite the inevitable knock-backs. It's all ultimately rather life-affirming despite the pervasive downbeat take on life, somewhat in the manner of a sourpuss comedian like Jack Dee.

DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Next-Door Neighbour', 'Things Are Gonna Change', 'Is There Life After Breakfast?', 'The Getaway'