For anyone listening to Mojave 3 for the first time, as I am, first impressions might be to quickly reach for a drink… just something to mellow you out, put you in that mood where you achieve just the right blend of peace, tranquillity, and… hope.

Hope just as easily could translate to despair as the emotionally spurring and gently strung earthy tones whisper gracefully through your own private airwaves, you wonder about life, love-tender moments that transgress through time where you become one with loneliness even within a crowded room of pleasure seekers… but only until enough time passes for the sun to shine through-"Anyday will be Fine" and the outlook changes.

"Excuses for Travellers" as a title might be translated in several different ways but as lead vocalist Neil Halstead seems to interpret during his own self-inscriptions regarding his groups' third release, there's a measure of moving away… moving forward slightly from the past and setting new sights and new ventures onward in the distance.

All at once tasteful, wistful and soulful, "Excuses for Travellers" darts in and out of solitude with a soulful and folksy flare reminiscent of classic folk travellers of the past-a little bit Dylan, slightly Simon, maybe even a bit to the left of Ventura Blvd., but all at once, there's a certain degree of vibrancy that crawls ever so slowly to the surface, though not often-"Return to Sender."

Mood music for an acquired taste… modern maturity with an atmospheric presence that takes the idea of "easy listening" to new levels…

Organically balanced in its travels on route to discover bold new spatial forms of sequestered indulgence.

Released by Beggars Banquet

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]