Broken Records – Acoustic EP
This release isn’t actually called ‘Acoustic EP’, that’s just a description. In fact it doesn’t have a title at all, being pretty much entirely under the radar, only available at gigs and Avalanche Records in Edinburgh, I think. It was recorded by the band as something of a stop-gap whilst they were waiting for their label negotiations to be concluded, and slipped out quietly after they had been signed, so as not to detract from the anticipation of their new album.
It’s largely acoustic, and seems to be something of a collection of songs which weren’t going to make it onto the full record, or which might otherwise have slipped through the net. It includes the gorgeous Out On the Water, which exists in a couple of versions already, not least their Toad Session version from April last year. There’s also Lessons Never Learnt which in my mind is so good that it threatended to overshadow their debut single, when it was released as its b-side last year.
There is one song which I don’t really like all that much however, which is highly unusual for me with this band. The Crumbling Wall, honestly, sounds a bit like Coldplay. Broken Records’ front man and main songwriter, Jamie Sutherland, is a friend of mine and he may never forgive me for that statement, but there’s just something in the piano and perhaps something in the rhythmic rise and fall of the vocal melody which just… somehow… ah well, never mind.
Fortunately that’s it as far as negatives are concerned. The rest of this is a bloody treat, and I’d urge you to pick one up the next time you see them live.
Broken Records – Lessons Never Learnt
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I find this ep a wee bit funny, all the songs on it are ones I was never really that bothered with but nevertheless I got it at one of their gigs a few weeks ago and I think it’s brilliant.
I think the problem I had with these songs before is that anytime I’ve seen them performed live they’re overshadowed by some of the bigger tunes (nearly home, lies, if the news…) on this ep you really get the chance to appreciate them for what they are, a bunch of amazing songs, they may not have the same energy as some of the bands other songs but are still amazing.
I’ve never seen them perform Lessons Never Learnt and I wish I had.
It must be a nice change for the band as well, just to step back from that thunderous sound they usually produce and settle things down a little. It’s a really nice piece of work.
I love this…i was talking to a friend yesterday about this Ep and we were saying how knocked out we were by it….the only downside is that it’d only 16 odd mins long.
i can nearly grasp what you’re saying about The Crumbling Wall, well at least the intro, but i think the melody of the vocal when it comes in takes the song into different territory, and if pushed my reference point would be The Waterboys circa This is the sea….dunno if this is any better than Coldplay mind!!
Oh that’s gorgeous.
Is it available on CD?
aye…see the bit where Matthew goes “Avalanche Records in Edinburgh”
try there
CD? Not vinyl?
i think they should throw in songs like this live from time to time. maybe they do and i’ve just not seen them do it, but I think it would really add to their live set.
CD…..if it’s on Vinyl….i haven’t seen it
Splendid. I shall have to invest in a copy then.
Avalanche Records, you say?
I can say with near-certainty that it is not available on vinyl.
Euan – I’d like to see a few more of these really quiet ones too. Sucks the audience in, and then they can smack them round the chops with A Good Reason.
Although, the Bedlam Theatre date might be a good one to look out for, as the set is going to be considerably changed, apparently.
it’s sold out…..ask Bart ha ha
I don’t care what it’s not available on! It can be not available on wax cylinders or 8-track cartridges for all I care…
As long as it is available on CD – that’s what matters!
It’s not just about what you want, Dylan. Plenty of people here would buy this record on vinyl, from the sounds of things, had it existed in that format.
I, for one, would buy it on vinyl if I could.
likewise
Of course it is. Stop talking pish.
it’s really my main gripe about seeing them live in the past. a change of pace is always a good thing. no matter how good you are. although the end is crazy, that’s what i liked most about wolves. lovely change of pace – for a short while!
Euan i really like your music (saying this in case anybody thinks i’m slagging you off) but the Kays aren’t expert in the field of changing pace……thats all
thats a fair point. though i think our album will suggest differently. i think the difficult thing is when you have 6 or 7 people on stage that it’s often difficult to play a song where 3 or 4 people are not involved. hence why a lot of the kays never wanted to play miss wonderland. i fully understand why changes of pace don’t happen. but they should. and if i include us in that.
I’d probably have bought the EP already if it were on vinyl. Then again, if I was fourteen I’d be grumbling about why couldn’t I download it to my mobile ‘phone…
Don’t know what you’re moaning about Ed, my iPhone comes with a record player app.
You could write The Broken Records and see if they still have the 192khz 24bit .wav mixdown from the session. On the right broadband network I’ll bet you could download it.
Also, this is a great EP.
and another thing tom. this post is about broken records, not the kays, stop getting off the subject matter! ;o)
sorry…..this EP is awesome…..
Is it available on CD?..
No, only on wax cylinders and 8-track.
Cool. I can play it on my Sony Waxman.
God, that was terrible. I do apologise.
i’ll force-feed you the EP, in the same way geese are force-fed corn to make the glorious Foie gras
Can I get some chutney with that Foie Gras?
nah…it’s going down dry
like sand
think a lot of bands will choose thier set list according to a) what they enjoy playing most and b) what they think will make the crowd enjoy themselves. also with slower ballady songs it can be hit and miss whereas with romp stomping hits like good idea etc your guaranteeing a good reaction. i definately think its worth taking the risk and changing up the pace a bit though.
“Don’t know what you’re moaning about Ed, my iPhone comes with a record player app”
SERIOUSLY?!?!
Sweet as a nut – the attachment’s quite big though…
You know, the record player part.
Sorry. I’m being mean. Just joking old chap.
Unfortunately, you can’t see the touch-sensitive screen in this photo of the handy-sized portable record player attachment.
Nevertheless, the pleasure of slipping this remarkable technological breakthrough into your pocket next to your iPod, and enjoying the unmistakably warm rich tones of your vinyl collection while on-the-go, is plainly evident.
It also ships with a stylish yet practical caddy to help keep your the pleasures of precious vinyl collection close at hand while out-and-about.
*chuckle chuckle* : )