Reviews roundup – The Webb Sisters, Blair Dunlop & Larkin Poe, Dead Sea Souls, Mondo Jet Set, Nick Tann
The Webb Sisters – When Will You Come Home?
Depends wha’s asking? Hattie or Charley? I’m no telling. Let it be a surprise. Either way, this 5 track EP is another nice addition to their portfolio.
Apparently unsullied by their world tour with the lamentable Leonard Cohen, the Kentish siblings have cobbled together this record, which features two original songs, a rather splendid take on the Elvis Presley classic ‘Always On My Mind’, and two goes at a piece of pish from the pen of the aforementioned Leonard Cohen.
But we’ll let that slide cos the other tunes are fine examples of their folky splendour.
Blair Dunlop & Larkin Poe – Killing Time
Well that’s that buckin ruined then. What eejit decided to shrink wrap a piece of cardboard so tightly that the only way to get it out involved ruining the sleeve? Eh? Eh? Fess up ya bass! So, that’s it. I hate this record.
Actually, I don’t. It’s pure dead brilliant, so it is. Seems they first got together at the Fairport Convention Cropredy festival (Dunlop is the son of Ashley Hutchings) to do a version of – sigh – Bob Dylan’s ‘I’ll Keep It With Mine’ (the low point on this EP) and before you could say boo to a goose, Dunlop was off to Atlanta, Georgia to record with Rebecca and Megan Lovell.
It’s a fantastic mix of British and American folk, with some luscious harmonies, and is worth every penny. Apart from the packaging. bastards.
Dead Sea Souls – Brave / The Comet
Apparently, Scotch indie rockers, Dead Sea Souls, are ‘relentless’. So they’re unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh. See, I new that English ‘O’ grade would come in handy one day.
Turns oot the band couldnae make their minds up which of the songs should be the single, so brilliant were the pair of them. So. it’s actually an AA.
‘Brave’ is a wee bit like the Killers without the posing, but I wouldnae cross the road to hear it, unlike ‘The Comet’ which sounds like the Dead Sea Souls. Yes, it’s actually an original sounding tune well worth a spin or two.
Mondo Jet Set – Provincial Drama Club
Twenty three tracks! 23! I nearly had a seizure. However, once I’d calmed down and stopped burbling about how albums should only have 10 tracks, I realised that some of the songs last less than a minute. Then I had another rant about how only Napalm Death are allowed to have songs less than a minute, and then I actually had a listen.
And then I noticed that I only had a rubbishy b&w sleeve, instead of the full colour one on the internet. Who do they think I am? Some hick stuck up in the frozen wastelands waiting for BBC2 to arrive? Bastards. We’ve had colour telly for over a year now.
So what the hell are the Dorset based psych duo up to on this, their fourth album, anyway. Well, it’s the usual Pink Hedgehog tour of sixties psych, whimsy and paisley pop. So if you’re the kind of person who eats tofu, reads the Guardian and thinks that Noel Fielding is funny, then this is for you.
Luckily, though, for those of who would rather eat their own arms off than endure any of the above, there is enough musical splendour on offer to offset all of those heresies. For sure, there’s hints of the Beach Boys, XTC and, especially, the Kinks, but Mondo Jet Set make it their own, on something that is actually an album. Cos you really do need to listen to it from end to end to fully appreciate the structure and nuances. Hippies, but hippies that might survive the revolution.
Buy at Amazon or get yer actual CD thing from Pink Hedgehog.
Nick Tann – The Vinyl Project
This came out a wee while back, but I was in a big huff at the time (well ye ken what I’m like), but after a year or so I’d calmed down enough to give it a play. Even if it isnae vinyl. Git.
So what is it? Well, it’s kind of indie folk. Everyone else namechecks Jeff Buckley when it comes to the Southampton based singer-songwriter. But I found everything recorded by Jeff Buckley utterly repugnant, so had to look elsewhere for something to enjoy in amongst his 12 string picking.
Vocally, there are similarities, but you actually believe what Mr Tann is singing, especially when he gets his blues on. Something that the John Martyn looky likey ‘Love Lies’ will attest. Which is why it’s the best thing on the record that isnae a record. Sometime his guitar work wanders into Nick Harper territory, which is always a good thing, and a double header tour would be a good thing for both of them. You can still get this, or download it on a pay what you like basis. Give it a go.
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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