aaamusic | On 20, Feb 2012

Woodditton Wives Club started out its life how all good folk albums do, on a low budget. Highton originally recorded the album using one microphone in his garage, and despite the re-recording being more refined, it still retains an endearing simplicity to it.

Although born in Liverpool, Highton has moved around England a fair bit. Upon losing his job in London, he moved to Cambridge and the album very much reflects his travels. It tells the story of Highton’s movement from urban to rural and the emotions and events which occur along the way. Guitar is accompanied by brass and strings, which helps tell the story with emotion but without being overly fussy. Highton manages to get it just right. His accent adds to the realistic, narrative style, as do the lyrics.

When a smile drops from your lips
It breaks my heart up as it slips
What has happened to my fun
Your only question now it’s gone
But there is so much more to come to you

And please don’t think
That you won’t make it
‘Cos you will
But when there’s tears in your heart
They are tears that could kill

Highton uses lyrics simply, but effectively. He tells the lives of people, which are in reality unadorned, but yet still have their beautiful moments. A Song for Someone is a lovely example of this, which is a song he wrote for his first daughter before she was named. While The Sweet Taste of Defeat shows another side of reality, regret and blame. You’ve Got the Trees shows inspiration from Highton’s travels and is about being trapped in the city. There is a good mix of moods and styles across the album which forms a little jigsaw of reality.

Alex Highton captures a little piece of humanity. And although his work may not be the most ornate or impressive, in reality, who in life is?

Rose Benge