7 Inches of Joy
Of all the tired puns in the world of music I have no idea why I still find that one vaguely snigger-worthy. It’s a bit like sitting at the front of the top deck of double decker bus; no matter how old you get it’s still just a little bit exciting.
I’ve got a couple of singles to punt today, one by local band Broken Records and one by Hereford superstars (erm, what?) Gossamer Albatross.
Most of my local readers know all about the release of Broken Records‘ new single Lies, and in fact I’d imagine a good many were at the launch party a couple of weeks ago. But I thought it worth mentioning for the benefit of those of us in foreign parts or, indeed, anywhere Not Edinburgh because it’s a bloody brilliant song, and one which they gave up playing for a while, until they’d tweaked the signature mandolin riff just a little.
It’s one of the songs they played that very first time I heard them and I have always loved it. I miss the mandolin a little, but Davie’s piano seems more prominent these days, which is a very good thing. In general this is just why people like Broken Records such a lot: musically it’s interesting, which, it’s Big, and Either way, it’s a fucking great song and Broken Records absolutely never stiff you on the b-side either, so to buy it from recordstore.co.uk, click here.
Broken Records – Lies (Demo Version)
And the video is here:
Secondly, we have Gossamer Albatross and their recent release The Ground Will Take Us Down, available from Bailiwick Recordings, here. They have kindly given permission for me to make the song available as an mp3, so I urge you to reward their generosity by puchasing the vinyl. This also rather spares me the difficulty of describing the music, but you know me, I’m bound to try anyway.
Their early stuff was a little twee for some of the readers of this site, although personally I loved it. This time around the sound is a little more muscular and confident, although still squarely inhabiting that sort of Beirut or Neutraul Milk Hotel territory, with plenty of classical flourishes thrown in for character. The heavily classical influence is a real pleasure, actually, perfectly complementing the distinctive, yet difficult to pin down vocal, and the slightly self-conscious folk pop structure of the songs.
Two gorgeous songs, then, and I’m not sure which one I prefer. Treat yourselves this weekend and buy both, then pour a paint-strippingly strong gin and sit in the house as Autumn advances and listen to both over and over again. That’s pure musical joy, that is.
Gossamer Albatross – The Ground Will Take Us Down
Bought the Broken Records single on Saturday, it’s rather good, as we have come to expect from our local heroes.
I like that Lies video, actually.
When I saw the photos from the video shoot, I was worried the end result might be a bit dull, but they’ve done some interesting stuff there with the focus, angles and lighting. Not bad.
Incidentally, did anyone get any photos of the single launch night?..
Yes, Nic got some pretty bloody amazing ones.
Ed, is Aberfeldy coming out on 7″ at all? I thought that was the plan, but I don’t see it anywhere.
Surely that should be 14 Inches of Joy….?
I actually think it’s one of Broken Records weaker tunes. Whilst I love the band, I do think they could have released a stronger single. But then I thought the B side of If the News……was actually probably stronger than the a-side. I guess when you have loads of brilliant songs it becomes difficult to know which ones are best. But in my humble opinion, this is not the best song they could have released.
I preferred the b-side of If the News… as well, actually, but this has always been one of my favourites.
Touché!
Nic’s photos are actually fantastic. I did have a sneaky look a little while back after the show and was well impressed.
And she knows all about confusing things like F-Stops, which she gave me some me some very good advice about during the Broken Records show, and whch I was very grateful for.
Hi Matthew – Aberfeldy will be coming out on vinyl, it is currently being pressed…keep you posted!
Ed
Ed – thought so. I’ll wait to review it until the vinyl is available then.
Dylan – well given I have no training in either web design, journalism, graphics, film-making or sound engineering and yet cheerfully have a go at every one I must reiterate that Song, by Toad is officially against technical proficiency. Elitist media types controlling our culture and so on etc.
[...] Here’s Matthew’s latest piece on vinyl and the indie-artist “7 Inches of Joy” [Song, By Toad] [...]
Have just played the Lies single again…think I might prefer the b-side ‘Travelling Songs’. Expect to see a fair few Broken Records tracks in the 17 Seconds Festive Fifty later on this year…
Have to say I’m thoroughly bored of the top deck of the bus. But then I often have to share it with a bunch of disadvantaged youths playing the latest chart hit on their mobiles at a deafening volume and threatening to knife each other.
Lies has stood out for me from the moment i discovered Broken Records so i’m so pleased it’s a single. Not to be argumentative with Steinberg of course, but i think it’s a stunning track.
i have to say that there is a photo of Ian with his guitar and bow in Nic’s photos which is just perfection.
Milo – bored of the top deck of the bus? You are getting old.
Izzy – yeah that Steinberg guy’s a real dick, eh? Unlike nice, friendly old Euan. Actually Dylan also has a pretty amazing shot of Ian bowing his guitar from the Liquid Rooms during the festival. The Edinburgh gig circuit now has duelling photographers, which can only be good for the rest of us, if you ask me.
are you sure about Euan?
I’ve never been sure about Euan.