Alan Fletcher: The Point (MGM/digital outlets)

Not having seen Neighbours since Kylie left, the fact that 65-year old Alan Fletcher played Karl Kennedy in it means nothing to me.

Probably doesn't to you either although my information says he'd been there for 27 years.

So we forgive him the day job because what we have on this debut solo album is of much more interest.

He mostly writes and sings in that low-rumble story-telling manner of Guy Clark (All That I Can Do) and John Prine (whose Fish and Whistle he covers here).

This is lowkey acoustic Americana – some distance from his previous indie.rock band the Waiting Room – which amusingly celebrates staying in bed for your mental health (How Good is Bed).

With dobro, soft drums, songs of regret (Leaving), stories about family (Hey You to his late, spiritualist mother in the afterlife; Jack to his grandfather whose life was mired in legend) and a lovely song about unrequited love (Dance Through Time), this album suggests Fletcher has a very viable career in alt.country if he has further part in Neighbours.

He's got a major British tour scheduled but if he ever made it here he'd be well worth catching for the understated songs he delivers.

.

You can hear this album at Spotify here