Album Review: Rare Birds by Jonathan Wilson

Apart from a fascination with Los Angeles lore and a keen ear for vintage American FM rock smoothness, it's hard to fathom what Wilson and Josh Tillman have in common. Whilst the latter's output is characterised by an air of a detached satirist observing the end of days with a knowing smirk, Wilson - self-styled revivalist of the hippie-era days when Laurel Canyon pulsated with beards, acoustic guitars, jam sessions, dope smoke and hearts worn resolutely on sleeves - is sincerity personified, a throwback to a bygone era when soul-baring, peace-loving singer-songwriters ruled supreme and the concept of ironic detachment had yet to be dreamed up. That the ensuing music has often matched its vintage singer-songwriterly inspirations has allowed Wilson's output to hover far above fellow travellers on the time-warping retro fantasy express.

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