John MOuse's fifth album, Replica Figures, is released through Keep Me In Your Heart Records. John returns to work with original band member Sweet Baboo. It's been 15 years since the two worked under John's previous moniker JT Mouse and the result is a touching album with glimpses of John's black humour, which has been a signature throughout his career...

Replica Figures revolves around the concept of memories, different memories, how they are created, the lack of memory, enforced and false memories... John MOuse (John Davies) is joined by Steve Black (aka Sweet Baboo) on piano and bass, former guitarist of early 90's indie band Hopper, Paul Sheppard, and John's daughter Maggie Lola on backing vocals.

There's a Talking Heads vibe on tracks like 'Boogaloo', which makes it easily accessible, ensuring the listener almost immediately takes it with a pinch of salt. Over the course of the album's 11 songs (38 min, 18 sec) Davies flits and flirts with genres and styles which at first makes it an enjoyable romp.

If you can overlook the fact that Davies can barely carry a tune then you might get a blast out of this rather tongue in cheek release.

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Nick Smithson