Polly and the Billets Doux

Album review

Hold Fast EP

added: 28 May 2012 // release date: 28 May 2012 // label: Bleak Mouse
reviewer: Dave Snell

Printable version

The �Hold Fast� EP is an interesting little snapshot into the world of Polly Perry and her Billets Doux � following on from 2010�s �Fiction, Half-Truths and Downright Lies�, the bands tone remains consistent, fusing blues, country and gospel to a sometimes electric peak, but once again falling foul of being such a very niche sound. Which is a shame, as it�s a very good sound, perfectly suited to the current spates of hot spells we seem to be enjoying at the moment.

�Hold Fast� is the lead in, with bluesy, gritty vocals, veering between country and rock n roll, with a clearly Americana sound - the chugging groove is interesting, if lacking in a little variance, but then, the lifting harmonies and balanced counter rhythms do well to draw the ear. Although unlikely to set the world aflame, it�s a cheery opener that settles the listener in, as opposed to making them sit up.

�Factory Whistle� features a more sonically interesting riff, with more bluesy, whimsy lyrics creating a wall of upbeat that is hard to resist tapping your feet to. Eschewing the need to preach," Factory Whistle" is simply light breezy listening, bordering on a country guitar solo, before wrapping up in prompt fashion with a little more of the bouncy drumming and cheeky guitar licks.

Third track �Hymn Song� changes the tempo for a mellower, more soulful experience, with some simple guitar lines flowing below a more balanced Polly lead vocal, blending in some really excellent harmonies for a very chilled sound. �If I fall from the stars, would you come home?� she sings, and this sweet, winsome tale of questioning becomes a slightly darker story of demanded responses and almost painful longing for answers from a distant lover.

Last up is �Fortune of War� � sounding like a sixties throwback, riding the vibes of the summer of love (even down to the protest-lite lyrics), �Fortune of War� seems to blend the various harmonies well to support Polly�s mainline vocals, as opposed to clash against them. The overall sound probably makes for the best track of all � feeling like a lost B-side to a classic such as �Marrakech Express�, or similar.

This EP�s format works, as it keeps the sounds rolling for long enough without running out of steam, yet still suffering from such a limited appeal that it is a small shame that so many will pass this by. �Hold Fast� is a great little look at a band not afraid to mix it up a little, and a fantastic taster for their previous album for the uninitiated.

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