Lou Barlow

Reason To Live JOYFUL NOISE He’s never had a problem with writing songs, has our Lou.

There are 17 tracks on the new album from the Sebadoh frontman and Dinosaur Jr bassist; 17 gorgeous, countryflecked acoustic tracks filled with beautiful yearning couplets and shaken refrains, introspective but simultaneously forward-looking. Although Barlow has a reputation for being eternally depressed and/ or heartbroken – in many respects he’s the archetypal US indie icon of the 90s – Reason To Live is full of a warmth and pleasure in life that suits his growing maturity as songwriter and raconteur well. His life might have settled, but his songs still have a questing spirit.

Lead-off single Love Intervene gives a fair indication of content – layered, poignant and damn catchy, full of humane intelligence and empathy. In that respect he recalls Throwing Muses’ persuasive off-kilter way round a riff as much as he does more classic touch-points such as R.E.M. and his own previous work. Either way, it makes for enthralling listening. ■■■■■■■■■■