The Lodger

Flashbacks is the third album from the brainchild of singer/songwriter and guitarist Ben Siddall. Siddall started as a solo project in 2004 from a Leeds bedsit, from whence they derive their name. Now a four piece, their third album uses a further seven artists to add more depth to their sound, with orchestral and vocal backing. From any view it’s an attempt to layer a simple arrangement and it’s more than fair to say it works.

The band’s debut album Grown-Ups was well received with decent sales figures and their 2008 record Life Is Sweet was released worldwide in 2008, again to positive acclaim, notably from the US College stations, who presumably enjoyed their English overtones.

Flashbacks has been produced by Richard Formby and as he did with the Wild Beasts he seems to have encouraged the band to embrace their British roots. For this reason, as well as that of chorus and rhythm, The Lodger have been compared favourably with the Housemartins and an early James. Perhaps there’s even a twinge of The Beautiful South, although minus the male/female duet.

The album as a whole is melodic and pleasing to the ear. The civilised backing instruments allow the slower parts of the record to bob along in a soothing manner, where Siddall seems gifted at putting together intelligent lyrics and reasonably catchy hooks.

While certainly not a rush out and buy it (or turn on and click to buy it) recommendation, it’s certainly thoroughly enjoyable and conjures a springtime mood in the listeners ear, whilst being punchy enough to engage listeners.