Cardinal Black

January Came Close

JUMP IN Compelling Cardiff collective have lift-off with sublime debut album.

A year ago, Cardinal Black guitarist Chris Buck told this magazine that the fledgling band’s best was yet to come. January Came Close is either a promise well-kept or the dawn of something remarkable.

This, the Welshmen’s first album, is an unequivocal labour of love, combining rock and soul-soaked blues to magnificent effect, introducing singer Tom Hollister and the award-winning, Slash-approved Buck as world-class talents. The lush Terra Firma glides gently with Buck’s resplendent guitar playing, often favouring feel over fire. Where Do You Go? is more of a canter, in which Hollister’s rich vocals soar throughout. Jump In and Warm Love entrance with more of Buck’s unworldly invention. Penultimate track I’m Ready lunges from sonorous ballad to playful blues jam in four fantastic minutes. Like a warm embrace, these spectacular songs envelop the listener from start to finish. Debut albums seldom sound so impeccably assured.