Jinder is a 24 year-old alternative country/folk singer songwriter based in Bournemouth who has already reached the top 20 with former altcountry/rock band Candlefire.

I'm Alive is his second album which sees him re-united with former Candlefire producer Stephen Darrell Smith. It's been available since Spring 2006 (his debut Willow Park being released in July 2005).

The album opens with Hill Country which is more roots than alt country, but from there the album descends into the Ryan Adam style of country song writing.

For the most part it's a downbeat and reflective collection although there are the odd numbers that are upbeat (Life - a right old knees up), In My Time Of Dying screams with passion and Shake Me rocks the album out in style.

Other highlights include 1922 Blues which adds some wonderful pedal steel to what is one of the best tracks on the album. All in all it's a creditable outing, but perhaps a little too patchy to wrestle the crown free of Ryan Adam's grasp.

***

Review by Pete Whalley

Hill Country
© 2007 Jinder. All rights reserved.