Picturebox – Escapes (Gare du Nord Records)
CD / DL
Out Now
Alternative, lo-fi/folk outfit release their new
alum.
Just over a year since the last release, the wonderful Songs
Of Joy, the collective of Rob Halcrow otherwise known as Picturebox have released
an eclectic album of ten enthralling songs based around escape, whether it be
to or from.
The Canterbury singer songwriter performs on Escapes in a
multitude of styles prompting vague comparison to several artists along the
way. Perhaps the biggest, and most complimentary
is one Ray Davies. Halcrow’s voice has
more than a passing resemblance to that of the main Kink but perhaps more
relevant, is his ability to write quite fascinating narrative on things every
day. Album opener, Stumble has a quartet
of clever rhymes within as many lines and is instantly memorable.
Halcrow is indeed a purveyor of fine song writing taking the
simplest of themes and turning those points of interest and enjoyment. Divvy Cabs uses a great bass fuzz as a focal
point, combines it with a simple beat and an almost nursery rhyme styled vocal
presentation. Again, it’s catchy,
indelibly so, to the point of continuous repetition by the listener – this is
the skill of the pop songwriter.
Sirens is subtle. A
throbbing background joined by simple guitar pluck and Halcrow’s calming
voice. It’s clever through its use of
uncomplication and following basic rules of less is more. GNER cleverly synchronises the train-like
sound with a train journey based lyric complete with guest harmonica from
Mathew Dutra, and, I Got The Pox has hints of the genius song writing of Chris Difford and Glenn
Tilbrook from Squeeze’s Cool For Cats era.
Uniform and The Vicar’s Dog slow the pace and tell their own
stories of everyday everydayness before
forty second instrumental in the form of Troyte closes the
proceedings. Like maybe Johnno Casson or
Stuart Kidd, Halcrow has the ability to write great songs, songs that will
remain with you long after they have finished and will make you appreciate the beauty
of simplicity in our often complicated, meaningless lives.
Escapes once more demonstrates the joy in clever song
arrangement and straightforward, plain narratives that make the best known
popular songs and memories. A delightful
album and a joy to hear again and again.
Bandcamp
Published on Louder Than War 24/09/18 - here
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