Philip Selway – Familial

A solo album by ‘the drummer’ is something of an industry in-joke. One that quickly conjures images of endless time changes, vast, rolling percussion solos and, above all, musical and lyrical inadequacy. The valiant sticksman tries but ultimately fails to prove his worth against his more highly regarded bandmates. This would never be the case with Philip Selway of course. As soon as the Radiohead-man decided to go solo, a certain musical intellect was instantly ascribed to his work’s potential. The impact and cultural significance of his day job simply demanded it.

That this record proves to be a series of tender, melodically-charming ruminations on the nature of family relations is, in itself, something of a surprise (well, the title’s a giveaway but there you go). There also isn’t that much in the way of drumming. What we have instead is a Luke Haines-style morbidity in both the lyrical content and the delivery (first single ‘By Some Miracle’ typical of this approach) and a low-level, almost folksy set of tunes conjured alongside the wonderful Glen Kotche and Pat Sanson. The Wilco pair’s inclusion creating some kind of quiet supergroup formed of the least vocal members of their respective bands.

Among the hushed, humble work here, there are a number of genuinely moving songs – particularly ‘Don’t Look Down’ with it’s sweeping, haunting refrain and album centrepiece ‘Broken Promises’, a description of the family life of Selway’s late mother that both affects and echoes with the listener, delivered as it is in such plaintive, emotionally honest terms.

When Selway notes on the Nick Drake referencing ‘Falling’ that “When all is said and done it’s only make believe, nothing more” he presents a certain stoicism in the face of loss and the relentless loop of birth and death that punctuates all relations familial. It’s a lucid statement that sums up much of this record’s sad but ultimately strong ethos. Selway has created a singular, precisely intended set of songs that should be celebrated and regarded in the same knowing, quiet way that they are delivered.