Likened to Lennon

Christchurch singer-songwriter James Milne, or as he is otherwise known, Lawrence Arabia, “can sound uncannily like John Lennon” writes Times Online reviewer Mark Edwards. “Exactly why Milne chose his pseudonym isn’t clear; this isn’t music that brings to mind huge, sweeping shots of the desert, or even the young Peter O’Toole. “The core of the eminently likeable album Chant Darling is a bright, harmony-rich pop, fuelled by slightly brittle guitars; but ‘Eye’ A finds common ground between the Clash and the Beach Boys, and ‘Auckland CBD Pt 2’ favours South African guitar styles set against 1970s TV-theme strings.” Edwards gives the album four stars. Guardian reviewer Tom Hughes writes: “Nothing here is without precedent, but personality goes a long way, and the best bits of Chant Darling are full of it.” In 2006 Lawrence Arabia released his self titled debut album with his band The Reduction Agents, The Dance Reduction Agents.