Teddy Thompson - A Piece Of What You Need

Jul 28 2008 By Jack Daniels

(Verve)

THERE’S an unexpected little note on the back of Teddy Thompson’s fourth album which reads ‘file under pop’ – and it’s correct. After the moody folk leanings of previous outings, he’s come up with a musically mainstream set.

The Things I Do could be a Mike + The Mechanics single, Can’t Sing Straight is country blues boogie and In My Arms has obvious chart appeal. The key note, however, is Thompson’s admiration of Roy Orbison, with several tracks – particularly the rich Slippery Slope – nodding to the Big O. See him at the Glee Club on September 24.