My Little Brother – If We Never Came Down
CD/DL
Out Now
Alternative acoustic band My Little Brother release their debut album.
Let me introduce you to – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Well, not quite but let me tell you that
there is something happening in the Lake District that is rather special.
My Little Brother were apparently formed ‘when a group of people met
and drank gin’, and if that’s the case that I wish I’d bought a round because
the resulting sound is nothing short of impressive. With one foot in the 60s and the other in today’s
music scene they have a perfect blend of uplifting, sometime humorous sometimes
sad songs which are a lesson in songwriting.
Front man Will Harris already has impressive name checks on his CV –
including working with The Charlatans and Teenage Fan Club, but it’s as My Little Brother that success is undoubtedly just round the corner. Their album launch at The Geltsdale Brewery
in Brampton last Saturday was so well attended that people had to overspill
onto the car-park. This is from a group
who had yet to release the album they were promoting.
Already championed by BBC6s Gideon Coe, Cerys Matthews and Tom
Robinson they have also been described as ‘capturing the spirit of the 60s’ by
none other than Laurie Beebe Lewis former vocalist with The Mamas And The
Papas. Why the praise? Songs are
perfectly arranged and produced, words are beautifully written and instruments
are expertly played.
Album opener, Lovers Of Life, Unite is textbook Pepper. George
Martin would have been proud to have been involved. Harmonies are infectious, vocals are layered superbly
and with a piano hook that accompanies a chorus that you’ll be singing for ages
it’s a cracking start.
It’s not just a similarity to the Fab Four either, Nosedive could be
from the Simon & Garfunkel back catalogue. Simple acoustic guitars and
rising vocals strum and strut from start to finish.
What is truly fascinating about the album is the sheer quality of
each song, you’d really be forgiven for thinking it was an album of classic
cover versions and that’s no exaggeration.
There’s something very fine about the songs and something that (if there
is any justice) will see My Little Brother propelled into our lives in just a
matter of time. Part serious, part humorous
My Hypocritical Friend finely demonstrates the merger between the 60s and 2014
with the music and lyrics respectively.
Over The Hill is nothing short of a superb vocal performance and
Paintwork is the perfect album closer, as it rises and rises and would
undoubtedly be a stunning finale to a gig, but it isn’t. Instead, the album ends with Song About
Amsterdam about the things we should appreciate in life and what to include on
our bucket lists. It’s a great song and ordinarily
a fitting finish, but Paintwork is more suited.
A small criticism on an otherwise faultless album.
Growing up I had a little Sister, I love her dearly, but now I have My Little Brother too. Welcome to the family!
9/10
Links
Published on Louder Than War 1/05/14 - here
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