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Thursday 31 March 2016
Review - The Magnetic North – Prospect Of Skelmersdale
The
Magnetic North – Prospect Of Skelmersdale (Full Time Hobby)
LP
/ CD / DL
Out
now
8.5
/ 10
Post-rock
shoegazers release that difficult second album.
To
be frank, an album based around the subject of Skelmersdale may not seem the
most exciting proposition. One of the
UKs ‘new towns’ built in 1961 and still professing to have no traffic lights
within its boundaries, it was created as an overspill for North Merseyside as
part of the post-war population distribution.
It failed and in the early 80s it became the residency of the
Transcendental Meditation movement in the Britain.
The
Magnetic North trio made up of Simon Tong (Blur, The Verve, Gorillaz) together
with Orcadian musician Gawain Erland Cooper and orchestral arranger Hannah Peel
(John Foxx And The Maths), have assembled something of a beauty with Prospect
Of Skelmersdale. It’s slightly folky,
with tinges of shoegaze and is altogether a lovely little beast.
The
album weaves its way through twelve tracks which take in superb songwriting and
experimentalism sometimes with a hint of sophisti-pop one hit wonders The Dream
Academy famed for their 1985 hit, the aptly named Life In A Northern Town. Although unlikely that the northern town in
question was Skem, the feel of both the hit and the set by The Magnetic North
does hold some similarities.
It’s
a short album, with quality prevailing over quantity and the sheer
deliciousness of its contents make it essential listening. Remains Of Elmer takes the sound one step
further as it introduces a racing orchestral backing against an infectious
strap-line which is difficult to shake off.
Indeed, the whole of the album is a collection of tracks which will
leave at least a short term indelible mark in your aural cavities.
Cergy
Pontoise sees Peel take over vocal duties and her angelic tones are a perfect complement
to the wind instruments which take residence within the track, and Exit
provides maybe a yearning to leave the town where brighter horizons lie.
With
clever insertions of newsreel soundbytes the album retains an interest that
many have similarly attempted and may have lost, and Pennylands (one of several
album highlights) yet again delights with its sheer simplicity and beauty.
The
Magnetic North may have done the Lancashire town some favours with this
album. Whilst lyrically it may not
always be entirely complimentary, musically and emotionally it is a cut above
and will serve the trio well if there is any justice.
Tuesday 29 March 2016
Watch! - Mechanimal - Sunlight
Mechanimal website
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Thursday 24 March 2016
Review - de Montevert – de Montevert
de
Montevert – de Montevert (No Method Records)
LP
/ CD / DL
Out
Now
8.5
/ 10
Swedish classically trained cellist and sound engineer
release her debut album.
The debut eponymously titled album from Ellinor
Nilsson (aka de Montevert) is quite an accomplishment. Brimming over with moody, dark alternative
pop seems effortless – and more importantly sounding like someone who has been
making albums for quite some time.
Ellinor’s voice is like that of a gravelled
angel, it is raw and uncomplicated but at the same time exudes a wonderful calm
with every note. Set against the often
brash instrumentation and lovingly constructed melodies it is an album which
demands several listens.
With subject matters of love and betrayal prominent
over the nine tracks, it is an emotional journey through some quite stunning
pieces of work. October 11th
is one such track which over five minutes contains just voice and minimal
tones. The strap line of “It should have
been me” is presented with pity and hurt and makes the track an overwhelming
success.
And it’s not all sultry infinitesimal either,
It’s Alright I’m Probably Dreaming the lead track from the album moves along
like an old stream train with a continual bass beat and subtle drum beat. Like
the rest of the album, it is addictive and holds an incredible amount of charm.
Produced by young Swedish singer Kalle
Johansson and recorded on the outskirts of Umea in the north of the Country
much of the album consists of first takes and live recordings. It is perhaps this approach that gives the
album life and instils a warmth and enthusiastic final result.
Album closer Ode To Mental Instability tells
its own story and is a well-placed track as a gentle but persuasive ending, but
Summer Heart sits perfectly midway through with a vocal style not unlike that
of 2003 Fame Academy winner Alex Parks.
Let’s Not Run Away Together has hints of
Country again with an infectious sound and Close Encounter experiments with
Blues over an eerie empty backing. A
fine debut from Ellinor and one which holds promise if she can maintain the
style which she seems to have made her own.
Links
No Method Records
De Montevert website
De Montevert on Twitter
De Montevert on Facebook
Published on Louder Than War 17/03/16 - here
Wednesday 23 March 2016
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