Unless you happen to be born with a name like Elvis Presley, a good stage name is often a prerequisite for any aspiring pop star. Northern Brit Aiden Grimshaw has resisted the temptation to call himself Ade-G, or to take the Grim out of his name– or something– for his debut, Misty Eye. A 2010 finalist (albeit an early casualty) on Simon Cowell’s U.K. television vehicle, The X Factor, Grimshaw passed on cashing in his 15 minutes of fame for a couple of years on the sidelines crafting his coming out album, still a few months short of his 21st birthday.
Maybe that’s because the album cover, with no full-size picture of the handsome Grimshaw to lure teenage fans, gives a decidedly un-pop star impression. Then there’s the music: adventurous, it’s commercial enough, but not constrained by current fads. The Tears For Fears-like “This Island” more than nods to the ’80s and ’90s, while others tip a hat to the likes of Moby. Producer and co-writer Jarrad Rogers builds a series of electro-pop beds over which Grimshaw exorcises his breakup angst and fear of failure. The singer has a decent range, and while his falsetto marries Chris Martin’s to Jimmy Somerville’s, it’s used sparingly and effectively, especially on the single “Is This Love”. He also assuredly delivers pure power ballads like “Hold On” and “Curtain Call”, along with simple piano ballads like “Be Myself”.
Range is good, but occasionally, it’s just too wide. “What We Gonna Be” works in a verse from rapper Smiler along with some shoegaze contemplation and a hi-NRG chorus, while orchestration swamps the title track. Misty Eye is at its best when the versatility is between songs, not within them. Grimshaw swings easily from “Poacher’s Timing”, sung with the delicate passion of Peter Gabriel, to “Nothing At All”, which trip-hops its way through an intense chorus propelled by vocal support from diva Sherelle McKenzie. It speaks to a bright future that’s far from grim.
Essential Tracks: “Nothing At All”, “Poacher’s Timing”.
