SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLAIR PACKHAM – THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

BLAIR PACKHAM
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
INDEPENDENT

The Impossible Dream is Blair Packham’s fourth solo album (he is a former member of the band The Jitters) and his first since 2017’s Unpopular Pop. Packham has been working on The Impossible Dream for quite a while, and as a result, some of the songs are somewhat older. In fact, some pre-date his last studio album. However, Packham has done an excellent job in stitching the songs together so they form a very cohesive and strong album.

This album is different from his past albums, as he incorporates many genres into the album, while keeping one foot in the pop/rock world. Country music and folk intertwine with the Packham’s trademark ear for pop and rock music. Lyrically, it is heavier and there is a theme of sadness and loss throughout the album. While he has been known for his upbeat and ‘fun’ pop songs, this album shows a different side to Packham. He tells stories of people and their struggles (the achingly beautiful “In Her Dreams”), or the plight of the indigenous peoples of North America (“Land We Know By Heart”) or doomed relationships (“When It All Got Out Of Hand”).

Packham dips into the world of The Jitters and has covered “Heads And Tails” (from 1990’s Louder Than Words). Here the song becomes a bit more heavy and sparse and less pop oriented. It works and it brings a new dimension to the song. He adds a slight country bent to the song, which is felt throughout many of the songs on the album. “Funny How” could be a great lost Blue Rodeo track, but again, it is pure Packham.

Packham’s voice has never sounded better, and he brings a great deal of emotion and feeling to the songs. He knows how to write very accessible tunes and strong melodies. He uses very basic arrangements which work perfectly on the songs.

 The Impossible Dream is an album that has been a long time coming, and as such, some of the songs are older. Packham has saved the songs and brought them out for all to enjoy. The Impossible Dream is a strong album and, really, has been worth the wait. Packham explores a great deal inside and outside of himself. It is an album of an artist who is aware of himself and his surroundings and has put it down on tape and becomes part of his growing catalogue of brilliant albums.

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