Have have enjoyed the music of Matt Williams aka The Brigadier for quiet a while now, and after his last album we find him stretching his songwriting legs with a seasonal theme. It opens quietly with "Song for a New Year" which strums along and builds to a sweet melodic chorus. "Be my Valentine" and "February" have a Ray Davies styled cynicism and dry wit to them. The four minute mostly instrumental "Last Day of Winter" has a magical quality and then "She brings the Spring" is very much in the light pop mold of The Orange Peels. Part of this cycle began with "Rhymes for Rainy Days (Autumn)". I would encourage Matt to finish the cycle on his next offering (Summer). This EP is only offered digitally from Matt's site.
Aaron Kupferberg - http://www.powerpopaholic.com/ (12 Feb 2010)