Mascot (label)
19 May 2017 (released)
04 June 2017
A delightfully fresh take on classic US West coast rock.
In many ways they put me in mind of bands like Stoneground or The Band or even Delaney & Bonnie in that ‘family’ type of groove but very much brought into the modern day.
Listen to a number like ‘My Eyes Won’t Be Open’; a song that deals with knowing your own mortality in the birth of your kids. Poignant and beautiful with some gorgeous harmonies between Thomas and his sister Olivia, an almost gospel element to the keyboards and building to a marvellous crescendo.
Or the title track which has a thudding drum beat behind a real gospel number and gentle acoustic guitar swinging the rhythm back and forth. Once more the vocal is remarkable – almost a Donny Hathaway register.
Between opening track ‘Man Out Of Time’ and ‘Mountain Fog’ you get a distinct feel that there is some Native American influence on the music but this is no cod-tribalism. The influence may be there but the music is imperative and thoroughly in content. Olivia Wynn Roche’s vocals delivered with the urgency and cold passion of Souxsie Sue and massive bassline from David Wagner. Guitar work on both numbers adds much to the music but doesn’t overpower it.
The heaviest track on the album is the massive ‘We Could All Die Screaming’, opening with a ticking guitar before exploding into a massive, almoist metal, riff and howling vocals.
Every track tells a story of one kind or another. The lyrics are clearly deeply thought out and the band play as though they are completely in the groove for each other.
An album that really rewards investing some time in getting to know and one that really delivers on many levels.
