A debut album of acoustic folk-rock worth every minute of listening is a rare thing in Hong Kong. Yet here comes Double-Life Taxi, a darkly fetching effort from UK-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Neil Cousin issued by local indie label Red Mountain Records.

Credit producer Daniel Puzny, who doubles as Red Mountain’s president, for bringing Cousin to Hong Kong’s attention. Scouring MySpace for quality artists, Puzny and a colleague discovered Cousin and cold-pitched him to sign. Assured he would be able to retain his creative integrity and make his “dream album,” Cousin allowed Puzny to get cracking.

The result is a thoughtfully arranged and quietly confident work. Cousin’s gravelly warble resembles that of his hero Lou Reed, but the album’s melancholy-tinged tracks, enveloped in lush warm reverb and other inspired effects, capture a unique searching spirit.

One song, Mermaid, about a person examining myth, shows off Cousin’s finely picked guitar, and floats forward despite the lightest of percussion. A ukulele features on the jaunty jam-inducing Caravan, with Hong Kong-based saxophonist Zane Massey delivering snappy play.

In every way, Double-Life Taxi offers a lean and expressive sound we haven’t heard in too long.

Plans are underway for the artist to return this summer for his first live performance in the city. Here’s hoping Cousin and Puzny re-team for more albums; their Double-Life Taxi is well worth the ride.

- Bong Miquiabas - Time Out, Hong Kong

Actual Print published 15th April 2009, Issue No. 26

A Hong Kong based label found Neil Cousin jobbing around Britain as a support act and decided to sign him on.

It was an inspired decision.  Cousin - who has sometimes played under the moniker White Rabbit - says he's been inspired by Lou Reed (musically) and Leonard Cohen (lyrically).  And that much is obvious on Double-Life Taxi.

Cousin's act comprises equal parts strumming guitars and winsome words.  But he's also steeped in the low-key pop traditions of the likes of the Go-Betweens.

That's pretty high praise but on the languid Hotel everything falls in place.  Cousin gathers his influences and makes something entirely his own.

Double-Life Taxi is an accomplished effort from a musician who has obviously paid his dues. 

- Matthew Scott,
Sunday Morning Post, Hong Kong

Rated 3.5 stars

Actual Print published 12th April 2009.

"Cousin's blend of introspective strumming is thankfully a snip above the rest thanks to interesting tunes and a fine band behind him.  Songs that could wallow, instead transcend the stereotypical one-man maudlin and are both captivating and cool.  At its best there are glimpses of Lou Reed and only occasionally does Cousin's voice slip into (Bush's) Gavin Rossdale territory.  This is a record with a lot of heart, something that rarely carries the "Made in Hong Kong" mark.  Of that Cousin can be proud."

- Tom Cassidy, BEATS Magazine Hong Kong

Rated 3.5 stars

ABC Radio Australia and RTHK Radio 3 interview producer Dan Puzny about Double-Life Taxi by Neil Cousin.

The interview was broadcast at 9:40am Hong Kong time by ABC Radio Australia and also broadcast via link-up with RTHK Radio 3.  Red Mountain Records President and Production Director discussed making Neil Cousin album.  The song "Garden" was also played during the interview.

The Neil Cousin album is finally being released, and in Red Mountain Records' home town of Hong Kong.  Released in other countries throughout April and May.

Neil Cousin is a Representative Artist of Red Mountain Records Limited, Hong Kong.