I previously wrote about Vickers Vimy back in June of last year. You can find that introductory blog post here. The band have just released their debut album. Here is a review!
Titled Vol.1 That Vinyl Scratch, the album picks off where their ep left off. The band are based around the talents of Ed Drea and Fintan Hanley with the accompaniment of Colm Ward (bass), Colm O’Coghnaile (trumpet, banjo, glockenspiel) and Eamon Mulderrig (percussion) with Michael Chang (violinist) occasionally joining them too.
The album was recorded principally in Wicklow with producer Daragh O'Toole. Apparently the album has been recorded for a while but with many things, life events delayed the full release. Consisting of 11 tracks of warm, pleasing, gentle melodies, the songs are gracefully structured and arranged. Perhaps pointing to the fact that the lads are seasoned observers of the world, it is an album made for listening on Sunday morning rather than Saturday night.
The l.p. commences slowly before picking up pace. Opener "Late for Years" is a gentle strolling song about moving on from unrequited love. "Days are Getting Better" and "Orbit Sleeper" follow in a similar folk vein. The previous single, "Devil on Your Back" is a cautionary tale. With words that sound like someone who is speaking to themselves, it is filled with solid lead guitar, harmonica and soaring organ.
The songs begin to pick up pace towards the latter half. "Old Fashioned Lover" is an enjoyable old fashioned piece. It sounds like a 1920's big band gone americana. My favourite on the album is the lively "Southbound”. With its steady, shuffling, country rhythm, the song could go on for days and you wouldn't mind.
The album ends on an almost post-script; the slow, perfectly paced and arranged "Broken Star".
What I particular enjoy about the album is that within the songs, the melodies are given time to breath. Too often, musicians try to cram too much into tracks. Here it's ok if the vocals take a break and let the song meanander (without ever going off-course). As I said at the start, a perfect Sunday morning album. Personally I would have liked more tracks with similar upbeat bpm as "Southbound" but that's a minor complaint. If you like your music that dwells on the border of folk and americana (e.g. Josh Ritter, Josh Rouse, M.Ward ,Gillian Welch), you'll enjoy this. Titling the album Volume 1 may suggest that this is just the beginning of Vickers Vimy output. Here's hoping that is the case.
You can buy the album on Bandcamp and iTunes. Vickers Vimy are currently gearing up for the launch of the album. They are due to commence the album launch this Thursday with the following dates: Thursday 14th March: Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar Saturday 16th March Cleerers, Kilkenny Monday 18th March: Whelans, Dublin Thursday 21st March: The Crane Bar Galway. Be sure to check their official site and Facebook to keep updated on the tour.
Photo: Vickers Vimy
0 comments:
Post a Comment