NOLAN 2

"When one of Manchester’s most innovative and mesmerisingly good bands announces its demise, it’s a sad day indeed. However in this case, the disintegration of The Second Floor is somewhat compensated for by the first solo material from former frontman Nolan Watkinson. “Beggar Man” provides a swirling flurry of bluesy, organ fuelled rock and roll, clambering over moody fuzztones and it's clear that Nolan's former glories are never far behind. He's not far off from nailing a near perfect pop song either, a trait reinforced further by the bleak, widescreen shapes of “Strange Blues” – it’s spiked with psychedelic keyboards, twangy distorted guitar and even a ghostly harmonica as Nolan eventually supplies a crooning melody that sits somewhere between Jim Reid and Roy Orbison. This is a pretty complete record and with a stripped back version of “Beggar Man” closing proceedings (just an acoustic and keys) ; it’ll be interesting to see what follows such an inspiring return". By Manuel Ecostos - manchestermusic.co.uk