Title: Lies
Artist: Bon Voyage
Tooth And Nail

Not content with his day job at the helm of Starflyer 59, or his side-project Brothers Martin with brother Ronnie (from Joy Electric), or, rumour has it, playing guitar in supposedly anonymous band Neon Horse, Jason Martin also teams with wife Julie on this, the second album from Bon Voyage. While their first album The Right Amount had more of the coppery guitars of Starflyer 59, with the distinction of Julie's vocals (like a more laid-back Raveonettes), Lies is closer to the 80s retro electro-pop of Joy Electric. The Good Life is more like some of the tunes on the first album - gently paced, with a clanging guitar tone. And Birthday features Martin's staccato riffs and glistening chords wide in the mix. But Diary has a New Order or OMD-like pulse while Don't Lie showcases the pros of a basic sound in the bouncy bass guitar, snappy drum track and sparse, vintage computer game keyboard notes. Julie's voice, high and girly in the style beloved of indie bands, sits atop like icing, while the lyrics are happily frothy (Example: "If I was your monster... I would hide under the stairs, I would give you a scare"). It's all fun and effortless, but "effortless" can be a criticism too. A second version of Monster seems like filler, and with the mere unfinished scraps of sound of LTD and Bad Friend the album sounds like it's been thrown together in the back shed on a Friday night. And a cover of the Smiths' Girlfriend In A Coma is a little too cute, adding to the sleepwalking feel. And yet last song Wake Up, Make Up is a perfect slice of revolving pop, showing why Jason Martin remains an underrated pop master.