Chris Connelly

Blonde Exodus is a huge step forward from Connelly's last solo album, the plodding Ultimate Seaside Companion. Here his sound is more fully realized and less self-consciously artistic -- there are still layers of strings and acoustic guitars, but the mix is leavened by muscular beats, and the derivative nature of his singing (think Nick Cave crossed with David Bowie) is less distracting in the context of these more interesting arrangements. After a bizarre spoken word throwaway ("Generique"), the album gets off to a rousing start with the bruising but pretty "London Fields." "Diamonds Eat Diamonds" is lyrically lumpy, shot through with indigestible lines like "I saw your precious mania diving for pearls/And swan dive like Icarus into the underworld," but "Twilight Shiner," with its chiming guitar and hummable chorus, hits the spot nicely. So far, Connelly has made his best music as a member of the Damage Manual, and some will remember his 1980s work with Ministry with twisted fondness. But this album makes a case for him as a solo artist worth watching. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide