That Joe Payne - By Name. By Nature.

That Joe Payne
By Name. By Nature.

8/10

By Decibel Report - Aug 6, 2020

Applying the ‘That’ prefix to his name, the presumption is that Joe Payne has a reputation to either play up to or play down. And on this self-portrait album of psychoanalysis, he disarms his demons as he passionately entertains.

Having been the lead singer for progressive music experimentalists The Enid, Payne re-energised the band while charismatically engaging their following with his five-octave vocal range which stunningly propelled him into the public eye.

Upon leaving The Enid, subsequent personal challenges threatened to blow his blossoming career off course and into the dense long grass of obscurity. However, taking his demons head-on has proved to be a momentous musical catharsis as Payne floats like a dazzling butterfly of sonic beauty on this life-affirming and defining opus.

The dizzying swell of both excitement and anxiety on this beguiling album of songs is exemplified by the tumultuous mind warp of vocal acrobatics on the title song. It melds a Prince, Todd Rundgren and Freddie Mercury inspired layering of arresting vocals. More importantly, Payne’s skill in projecting his multi-octave range also matches all of the above.

Elsewhere, he duets to irresistible effect with another alluring talent Ms Amy Birks on Love (Not The Same).

Allowing his full panoply of talents to crawl out from beneath the stone under which he has kept them since his Enid days, Payne is finally stretching his wings on this majestic solo flight of alluring fancies.