Jeff Martin’s second album is an unusual mix of pop, ‘60s-sounding be-bop, singer-songwriter soulfulness and classic instrumentals. It’s not a particularly Irish sound, so it’s surprising to discover that Martin is based in Dublin, though his music is happily reminiscent of the work of David Kitt.
The understatedness of the eleven tracks on Spoons belies their structural complexity. Martin’s own guitar, bass, vocals, melodica, synths and percussion are joined by drums, trumpet, rhodes, violin, viola, cello and piano played by a skilful crew of fellow musicians, including John McEntire, who mixed Spoons at Soma Electronica Music Studios in Chicago and plays vibraphone on the album.
Martin’s mellow, knocked back vocals are well-placed within the context of a large range of instruments, blending subtly with the many-hued musical palette, while his guitar playing sparkles across the string arrangements in time-honoured jangle-pop fashion, occasionally letting the trumpet grab the tune and run with it. My two favourite tracks, ‘Veelow (Pt 1 & 2)’ and ‘Augustine’, are almost entirely instrumental, the former utilising great synth and beats to trippy effect, reminiscent of Brian Eno’s Music For Airports, the latter featuring piano and strings in the change-within-repetition style of Philip Glass.
While Spoons has its rewards, I do think this kind of music sounds better in concert than at home – see for yourself when Martin and his band embark on a short Irish tour at the end of November.

To win signed copies of Jeff Martin's album Spoons, plus tickets to his live dates in Dublin, Belfast, Limerick and Cork, click here.