Chosen By: Paul
Released: 2 April 2024
Comments:
Paul - Let's start at the end. If I was the sort of person who went around buying records I would buy this record and I wouldn't be disappointed. It's not perfect though. There's a bit of a split personality to it.
I'm less into the more upbeat, guitar-led numbers, Aim Higher excepted. They sound like perhaps The Nightingales or Half Man Half Biscuit. Not that there's anything wrong with that of course, it's just that we already have The Nightingales and Half Man Half Biscuit.
The slower, bass and drums forward numbers however - yes please! I could listen to Murmuration on a loop, Cuckoo in the Nest and Letter to a Young Poet are tremendous as well. It might also be that I prefer Martin Bramah's vocal delivery in these slower-paced songs too. All in all I don't think it's quite a ☆ but I could yet do a Dean and come back to you on this.
Dean - When I was unaware of it's origin, I was willing to believe that this 'young' (yes, that was my impression) group had something that could develope into something interesting. To know more about the musicians didn't inspire much hope.
The more I listened, the more it resembled a dirge. I found the slow rockabilly rifts lacking. It sounds like all are within their comfort zone but lacking irreverence and playfulness.
In the end I listened to Mountain Energei, Oh! Brother, and Iceland and it made me feel better. I wonder if, like me, they are still in mourning for MESmith and somebody's granny. The bongos never made an appearance. I'm not even sure that all concerned are enthused by this project. I'm not.
Stu - Given the cover art, the name of the band and the LP title I would never have given this a look in. So thank you for the introduction. Straight off the bat, HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT. I would say I’m a fan of theirs due to the lyrics and observations rather than the music!! The FALLISMS are all over it as well! Having seen 2 reviews already I can see validity in both camps!! I find myself liking bits of it, even just bits of songs rather than anything full! I like lots of the lyrics, the playful parts!! Peej likes the slower paced efforts, whereas I tend to like the more uptempo! ‘I must get clean’ is a groover though! I can totally see Deans observations in the music though, lots of time I think stodgy! There is a feeling of NOT cutting loose! So this record throws up lots of things I typically wouldn’t bother myself with!! BUT in the end if I like a record I tend to buy it! I will not be buying this record BUT I’m glad that I’ve listened to it! TACKLE THE MAN NOT THE BALL! Most importantly it’s tossed up 3 more bands listed by Dean as counters to its misgivings!!! A pleasant enough experience
Ben - I liked the up-tempo tracks - for this be glory, gaudy pop scramble and aim higher all very enjoyable. I must get clean was quite catchy but I didn’t really enjoy the rest - when I didn’t connect with a melody I just heard muddy, noisy drums and bass. The whole album was a bit weird in that it felt like they were trying to reproduce a Fall-like sound, including vocals, but also at pains not to be the Fall (but maybe thats just my knowledge of the back-story kicking in). If they could stick to the catchier, up-beat, stuff I would be keeping this album in my library, but not this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment