It's funny, considering Beaumont's numerous strengths as a duo, that their songs don't leave much of an impression.
Lyricist/vocalist Cath Close wields the same sort of low-key, understated, world-weary instrument as The Cowboy Junkies' sultry Margot Timmons. Close can turn a nice phrase, as well; consider "Red, Red Petals": "And so you wish on crooked stars / and who you wrap around your heart." For his part, composer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Stewart has all of the skills and tropes down cold; he arranges textures and themes quite nicely and establishes the group's core, lightly countryish sound with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of professionalism.
And yet... even after a couple of listens, you'd be hard-pressed to hum any of the melodies on No Time Like The Past. While Close's individual lines can be fun and interesting, her lyrics, stretched over song length, don't coalesce into truly memorable stories or images. Similarly, Stewart's music, while unquestionably competent and professionally played (the session musicians the duo have chosen are, to a person, excellent), is not the stuff of which the great American songbook is made.
As background music, No Time Like The Past is a solid, inoffensive choice. As frequent listening material, however, it doesn't fit the bill.
