Review:

The Breaking in of Light

This is 22-year-old Bournemouth-based singersongwriter Tom Whitman’s second album after an EP released in 2007. It is inspired by his personal experience of manic depression and his search for God’s peace in his darkest times.

There are a couple of interesting songs – ‘Love Like A Drug’ has a catchy rhythm and a memorable tune, and ‘The Old Capital’ adds some variety. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for the rest of the album. The songs are repetitive, use similar guitar riffs and soon become tedious.

The Breaking in of Light is well produced with a clear quality sound apart from the odd track where poor mixing mean the vocals are drowned out.

Overall, Whitman has good ideas and his album would make a great meditation aid, but ultimately there is not enough light and shade to make it really stand out.

HIGH: ‘Teddy’ brings a different flavour and gives the whole album a lift.

LOW: The lack of variety.

Published by: Risen Records