Having been crucial in bringing the new breed of jazz-inclined pop stars to the world’s attention, Jamie Cullum follows up his acclaimed Twenty Something with a new collection that immediately reveals a number of changes in the way he has handled the 14 songs on his new release. Most obviously, the general sound seems to have undergone an overhaul in terms of production and technique – more modern is perhaps a word that suits both aspects!

Another clear change is definitely the reduced emphasis on instant melodic hooks, replaced in most cases by deeper musical interventions that try hard to probe beyond the jazzy environs that shaped his previous album. As a result, Catching Tales does take quite a few spins to sink in, the gloomy take on vintage tune I Only Have Eyes For You not helping much. On the other hand, songs like Mind Trick (co-written with brother Ben), the rat-pack croon of I’m Glad There Is You, Our Day Will Come and Cullum’s inspired cover of Doves’ Catch The Sun are rare gems that qualify as the album’s saving grace!

CD Courtesy of Exotique