Billy Vincent

“She” is the debut album from the folky indie-rock band Billy Vincent (named after the amalgamation of the co-writers first and last names Bill Barratt and David Vincent). It comes after the release of two EP’s “King Island Coyote” and “Once On The Grand Union” and a single “Bottle Top”, all of which have been praised for excellent song writing and a unique fiddle induced sound. Happily this full length album does not disappoint, and it shows that Billy Vincent can indeed produce 12 tracks of solid quality.

It is hard to talk about this band without mentioning the lyrics. Every word seems well chosen and helps to paint a vivid picture. There are many good love songs throughout the album, but thankfully Billy Vincent does not limit itself to convention. “Four, Five, Six” is a stirring ballad of a lover lost to another man with a mighty metaphor set to the tune of a captain going down with his ship. It is beautifully tragic and musically so well balanced you can’t help but give it your whole attention right from the start.

Of course it’s not all gloom and doom, there are a good number of upbeat tracks such as “The Wayward Fall In Line” and “Beneath The Castle Floor” that will tap your feet and bring the words screaming from your mouth with every chorus. These are cleverly placed throughout at the album so as to break up some of the more intense, and perhaps less lively, songs. Although you would not be too surprised to find a fiddle in the slower and sadder songs, Billy Vincent’s unique violinist Matt Woodward manages to find a comfortable middle ground in these faster indie-inspired tunes. It never sounds out of place whilst always adding a wonderful new dimension to the sound.

By far the most impressive track is the eponymous final song “The Ballad Of Billy Vincent”. Somehow without directly mentioning it, Billy Vincent places you in 17th century London as the young man “Billy Vincent”. From here he proceeds to lose his way like a true psychopath. It would be wrong to mention anymore of the story as this is one those rare occasions where a song could be subject to "spoilers". The band supports Vincent’s fall from grace in stunning fashion, the jingling repetitive guitar in the verse is aptly chilling while the drums and bass alter the mood to great effect in the chorus and interludes. This song sounds as if it was made for the fiddle. It is put to good use here, but is restrained enough to allow the other instruments to breath and thereby keep the complicated mood intact.

Overall “She” is a great album, and shows off more of the band’s talent and song writing prowess than the single gave away. The songs are well thought out, the level of musicianship high, and the imagery employed in the lyrics is witty and thought provoking. Perhaps the highest praise that can be given here is that the album produces a completely unique sound, something that most bands could only dream of doing.