let's start with the niceties, thus far this is easily my album of the year, please stop reading now if you're expecting an objective review, i love this album!
it's sumptuous production, reminiscent of the best of the beach boys, dennis wilson and of course phil spector. A deep sound that harks back to a lost age, it's truly music to immerse yourself in (best heard through headphones, late at night or in a car very loud!). I've seen this described as folk rock but it's a bit more than that, acid folk, maybe?It's probably genre breaking! Some of it reminds me of elements of Nick Drake (an awakening), bits are danceable even passable as a lost northern soul classic (so low, take my hand and into the sky) - a kind of folk for dancers only! So Low's vocal delivery reminds a bit of James at their peak. Other bits remind of the Pretty Things, other sections will of course draw comparisons with early Jethro Tull. Although it's all of these things and more, and is obviously entrenched in a rich musical past it's strangely modern.
I read a review that says this album fails to 'enchant or amuse' (the guardian/observer) well i'm not sure it was meant as comedy, my review is not even tainted by his work as a comedian or comic actor, of this work i am not aware. A serious amount of thought can be heard in these songs, thought as to how they will sound, what is in the mix. This is not everything but the kitchen sink production every sound has a use and sounds like it's meant to be there, not a lot of waste.
easily listenable, easily enjoyable and if you like taking risks with your musical journey buy this in the knowledge that it will take you along a country path that's well trodden but equally a new one! Acid Jazz are bringing out some superb stuff recently and this just adds to the mystic........
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