before?
That is the inevitable Manics comparison out of the way and
hopefully people can take off the blinkers and see this offering
for its true value. The lyrics are angry, defiant and almost
spiteful in places, which is borne out in ‘The Weight’:
“I thought this feeling would go away as I got older.
Well, how wrong can someone be? Even as I sit here now – getting
closer, losing interest by the day.”
The music still plays an important
part, as it is quite soothing in a Doves and Elbow type
manner to soften the impact
of the bitter lyrics. Previously released single ‘Go
Back To Bed America’ is a case in point, whereby vocalist
James Chant leads a bemused protest against America in an
ever topical tuneful rant. Chant’s Guy Garvey style
vocals sit neatly with tingling piano and crisp guitars,
incorporating a distinctly Elbow sound in tracks such as ‘Come
What May’ and ‘The Weight’. Unfortunately,
this uncompromising, sincere and emotive offering does represent
a small victory in the fight to impart an ounce of integrity
into the music industry, with all the hype that surrounds
so many shallow and empty bands that shall remain nameless.
However, it is to be hoped that they will keep on producing
Small Victories until the battle is won.
www.smallvictories.co.uk
www.boobynet.co.uk David Adair |
