By Fred Spanner
Richard Hawley: Coles Corner (20th Anniversary Edition) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you didn’t catch it the first time around, there’s still time. Richard Hawley’s Cole’s Corner is a beautifully crafted album steeped in nostalgia, romance, and melancholy. With lush orchestration and a crooning baritone reminiscent of Roy Orbison and Scott Walker, Hawley channels the atmosphere of 1950s and '60s balladry while infusing it with a modern emotional depth.
The title track sets the tone, as Hawley explores themes of longing and lost love. Standouts like "The Ocean" and "Born Under a Bad Sign" showcase his gift for melody and atmospheric production. The arrangements are rich but never overpower his intimate songwriting.
Overall, Cole’s Corner is a timeless record; evocative, heartfelt, and one of Hawley’s finest works. And that’s big praise indeed.