Neil Halstead, the former singer-songwriter-guitarist for Slowdive who still plays with Mojave 3, sounds at ease here. Halstead’s latest album is his first attempt at a solo project. The nine-song album reportedly came about as the result of a failed personal relationship, which culminated in the usual outpouring of new material. While literally sleeping at the studio where Mojave 3 was recording its most recent album, Halstead was able to lay down some tracks that would eventually become Sleeping on Roads. Such numbers as “Two Stones in My Pocket” and “Driving With Bert” feature a beautiful recurring trumpet line, and are some of the best material that Halstead’s written. Aided by Ian McCutcheon, Nick Holton and others, Halstead has succeeded in making a well-balanced, relaxed solo debut.
(SN&R)