Today we have Eric Clapton's self-titled solo debut Eric Clapton. Released in 1970, the album was a modest commercial success and scored mostly positive reviews. After its release, Clapton formed the band Derek and the Dominoes with whom he recorded Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which is generally considered his greatest album.
Clapton seems more relaxed than ever, less interested in long solos and more interested in making a down-to-earth, modest, and fun record. Unfortunately, it mostly fails because the songwriting is generally mediocre, the consistent use of horns muddles the songs instead of adding to them, and Clapton doesn't quite sound comfortable with his voice. However, "Slunky," "Bottle of Red Wine," and especially "Let It Rain," while not demanding much attention, are all just as good as anything he's recorded and the album's overall easiness makes me eerily sure I've revisit this more than many of his other (better) albums. B
