ComfortComes

Review: Sennen – Vultures

Driving indie builds from a chugging percussion shudder that walks hand-in-hand with a chiming guitar push, as the creeping, worrisome and quaintly haunted vocals of Larry Holmes gives ‘Vultures’,an endearing creepiness. This is contrasted by an increase in volume and tempo of the instrumentals, providing for some stirring mood mixing.

The Bell X1 spirited ‘Holding On For You’, filters in a key-led melody kick. It draws out the self-absorbent soul searching that’s given a chilling edge, by the brushing percussive touch of James Brown. The vocals carry a sincerity that prevents the number from falling completely into a sappy pit. There’s little indication that Sennen’s rapidly approaching third album, ‘Lost Harmony’ will have enough adventure to win over new fans, but old ones will definitely be getting into a state of brooding reflection in preparation for it.

Review: Mull Historical Society – City Awakenings

It’s little more than a few notes into the chiming percussion and trotting guitar led instrumental to opener, ‘Must You Make Eyes At Me Now’. That you realise how much this band, once voted twelfth greatest Scottish band of all time, have been missed during their lengthy hiatus. When the strained and genuine vocals of Colin Macintyre kick in, then a pondering stirring, blues layered intro, makes you just want to yell “welcome back guys!” at your IPod or choice of music playing medium. It blends neatly into the churning, more vocal grizzle inclusive attack on false lovers, ‘Can You Let Her Know’.

‘Must You Get Low’, shows that the old school indie bands are still the best at the pace chilling, slow-burning and stirring ballad, as this concept album that explores the importance of cities takes a bracing nostalgic pit-stop. A lively, digitally toed edge ups the tempo for ‘Honey Pie’, as Macintyre’s vocals take on a more dramatic, strained edge and increase in profile to match that of the instrumentals. It shows that eclectic adventure is still within them.

Of course, the lyrics still hold meaning, heart, reflection and food for thought. With the slow, stirring and nearly wooing backing spiced, ‘This Is Not My Heart’ being a prime example of this:

“Love letters of stone won’t set alight: I am alone in your lie.

I was awake just thinking of you.”

Usually when an evergreen, what some people would call veteran band reunites six plus years after their last album, it makes you question their motives and even desire. Are they doing it because all other avenues have led to a dead end? No, not in this case; Mull Historical Society still has something to say and some cities to explore.

Mike Patton – The Solitude of Prime Numbers

Mike Patton’s new album is another film score. Kind of. It’s “music from the film and inspired by the book,” which from my understanding means that it’s music from the score and the stuff that was left on the cutting room floor.

Solitude of Prime Numbers is an Italian film that looks like it won’t be released in the States. It’s a bit of a shame, because I’d like to hear the music in the context it’s meant to be heard in. So I tried to read the novel which is extremely depressing. Which I’m fine with, but didn’t really find much depth in the characters outside of being lonely and miserable.

But the music is very good. Quite different than his last two scores. This one’s a bit more somber and ambient. Very string and piano laden synths. Looking through the credits, Patton thanks Carpenter which wasn’t immediately apparent, but makes sense thinking about it now. I guess the best way to describe it is as one of those artsy albums that I probably won’t think to listen to a lot, but will enjoy very much when I do.