It's not equally shared in Popmusic.Elvis Costello fans get 2 albums a year;admirers of Kevin Ayers had to wait for 15 years for the follow-up of Still Life With Guitar. The legendary singer of the first combination of The Soft Machine has made a worthy comeback with The Unfairground. The years have hardly affected him,because Ayers (63) has always been apart from the rocktradition. His music still has it's roots in English Music Hall,with now and then an excursion towards Psychedelica and Jazz. As an incorrigible romanticist,he aims his arrows at the past,with songs about lost dreams and lovers. The Unfairground brings a colourful parade of exciting arranged songs,like 'Baby Come Home' with his long-out-of-sight duetpartner Bridget St. John. 'Brainstorm' is THE song where it all comes together: Ayers' rusty,nightclub bariton,ominous violins,and lyrics about a descending to the dark chambers of the past.

For years,we heard nothing from the British singer Kevin Ayers,but it's good to have him back,because his unmoved,dark voice still sounds unique. He once started in the legendary Soft Machine and made a few lovely solo records like JOY OF A TOY & SWEET DECEIVER,but that's 30 years ago. With Teenage Fanclub,amongst others,Ayers hits the exact right casual tone.Slightly mocking,towards vaudeville.