AMG Review of Love That Whirls (Diary of a Thinking Heart) [Expanded]

Steven E. McDonald
All Music Guide

It's possible to find through-lines of the new romantic strain of pop throughout this Bill Nelson release, with washes of synthesizer and dance-of-electrocution rhythms going on all over the place, but the true fascination is the mix of a post-ironic tone and a cultured sensitivity to art and beauty. While Nelson puts his guitar chops on display periodically throughout Love That Whirls (The Diary of a Thinking Man) (much of it with E-bow in hand), this is far from being a guitar album -- all of the disparate elements are too well-integrated for any to assume a point of focus. There is a sweetness and a lightness to a great deal of the work Nelson put into this album, and this makes it infinitely listenable. In some respects, this is also a record that will teach listeners everything they need to know about Bill Nelson -- it touches on all aspects of what he does. [This edition contains bonus tracks.]