Tom Fuller - Chasing an Illusion (CD)

All Music Guide

Tom Fuller's debut album starts off sounding like one of George Harrison's mid'70s solo records, all tasty acoustic guitars and breathy vocals over a simple but catchy folkrock melody. About halfway through, a fullband arrangement comes in, with an even more Harrisonsounding slide guitar, but the overall effect is, bizarrely enough, more reminiscent of Canadian folkprog cult heroes Klaatu. Second track, "Dare To Love," is more of the same, except that with its clipcloppy pianobased rhythm and Fuller's more nasal vocals, it sounds more like John Lennon's solo work than George's. (Yes, Paul McCartney gets his turn with the somewhat schlocky "I'll Never Stop," and no, there's not a Ringo Starr tribute.) This combination of '70s influences goes on to include bits that sound like Harry Nilsson, preglam Elton John and a host of mostlyforgotten singersongwriters who used to live in Laurel Canyon. At times it all works, as on the mellowcool "Missing You" and "Don't Keep Me Waiting," which fea...tures some lovely overdubbed harmonies and a cool little Eltonstyle piano solo near the end. But too much of Chasing an Illusion can be spent playing Spot the Influence to make the album much more than a mildly entertaining diversion. - Stewart Mason, All Music Guide Read more Less