Philip Selway: Familial

Philip Selway, the 26th greatest drummer in the world according to a recent poll, thanks to two decades of pioneering work with Radiohead, doesn't so much as lift a stick on his solo debut. Delegating drum duties to Wilco's Glenn Kotche, Selway sings, and very nicely too, about father-son ties and solitude. His quiet, melodic voice heightens the intimacy, and even though dark subjects are touched upon, a mood of optimism prevails. The lyrics strive for simplicity but sometimes stray into cliche, while the instrumentation, also spare, is subtly detailed and often quite beautiful.