Acting out a jilted lover doesn’t mean one can write a good love song, although thespian Guy Pearce gives this form a good crack. Broken Bones is his first record and doesn’t suggest there’ll be a raft of releases in the near future, but it’s not the shuddering abomination efforts by actors-turned-singers invariably turn out to be. Turn to Ron Moss, Russell Crowe or William Shatner for starters: the final curtain for their endeavours was almost drawn before opening night. Pearce on the other hand, sounds like a person who doesn’t want all the information handed to him on one piece of paper. Rather, he seems to work with scraps of information he receives, collates it and shapes it into something he can coherently imagine. To a degree, this side-step works, much like the acting career of Tom Waits.
Pearce unashamedly declares this recording was, in no small part, due to “some very supportive people who care about my mental health. I’ve finally realised the value of completing things and getting them out of my head.” This very statement suggests a degree of gallantry of the spirit. With a voice occupying the landscape between Mark Seymour and Hugo Race, Pearce begins the task with the commanding Overflow. Then the bass heavy funk of Storm follows, although the higher notes appear to be a difficult task to tackle, being oddly reminiscent of Brian Eno.
I Can Be Some Good initially crackles like some wartime Vera Lynn sing-a-long before evolving into a compelling listen. The weary Golden Heart is anchored by the minutiae of life that leave an impact by their very ordinariness. By the title track, Pearce sounds like he’s auditioning for a Webber stage production before restraining himself for Fly All The Way and touching ‘70s pomp rock.
Like his primary artistic pursuit, Broken Bones is a selection of scenes not all linked with the necessary golden thread and some of the flow is jolting. This aside, it’s a low-key record of gentle pleas for solitude, love and inner peace. Good on him for that. And for producing and playing on the record.
BY BRONIUS ZUMERIS
Best Track: Leader Of The Land
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Mark Seymour, Neil Young, Neil Finn
In A Word: Introspective
