Don McLean - Botanical Gardens

Don McLean is obviously best known to the world for gifting the irrepressible American Pie in 1971. While other hits include Castles In The Air and Vincent have contributed to the continued success of his 21 studio albums, it has been his rather tumultuous private life that has more recently dominated the headlines.

While his guilty plea for domestic violence against ex-wife Patrisha saw his charges dismissed last year, recent weeks has seen heavy focus on his relationship with 24 year old Playboy model Paris Dylan. While cynics might question the authenticity of the relationship, given the release of his latest studio album Botanical Gardens, his first since 2009's Addicted To Black.

While the red tops may be filled with news of his relationship, the biggest bump in McLean's return to record is that his new material simply does not live up the the power and strength of his prior releases. While this is partially because the bar is set very high by the strength of his earlier material, it is also simply because the new material just is not memorable enough to really engage the listener.

Yes McLean can still sing, it is in his bashful and often cringeworthy lyrics that McLean finds his biggest downfall. Allegedly inspired by the Botanic Gardens near Sydney Opera House, McLean had proclaimed the release his most personal to date. However it seems to lack the depth and insight promised, instead simply seeming rather shallow.

This isn't sadly the return of a musical great to previous form. This is an average album by a true great. Yes, it may not be the worst record you hear this year, but it will struggle to really impact you past a fleeting listen.