Review: Esteemed rock guitarist Andy Fairweather Low first came to prominence in 1967 with a cover version of 'Gin House Blues', Bessie Smith's 1928 original. He then went on to front the psychedelic rock band Amen Corner, marking a surprising shift in genre ambit. With the latter move rendering Low's early bluings relatively obscure, The Last Music Company gladly announce the early blues treads of this master musician's all-pervading influence on music, here with this new selected hits compilation. There are many collaborating musicians indebted to Low, and who yet owe him more than one drink: BB King, Van Morrison, Pete Townsend, Jimi Hendrix, Chris Rea and Kate Bush, to name a few. A longtime sideman in Eric Clapton's band, hence the title, it not only highlights his mastery of blues guitar, but also his under-recognition as a hidden, arch-musician, pillaring the notoriety of others.
Review: The Felice Brothers' latest release, Valley of Abandoned Songs, out on June 28, 2024, is a stunning collection of tracks originally meant for their previous albums, Undress (2019) and Asylum on the Hill (2023). These songs, featuring the lives of quirky loners, come across as charming pastiches. Each track, though fragmented, is tied together by shared incongruity. The album kicks off with 'Crime Scene Queen,' blending noir and sci-fi elements, followed by the nostalgic 'Flowers By The Roadside.' 'New York By Moonlight' offers a rich blend of New York's beauty and despair. The playful 'Racoon, Rooster and Crow' and the poetic 'Black Is My True Love's Hair' are immediate standouts. Tracks like 'Strangers Arms' and 'Tomorrow Is Just a Dream Away' highlight the band's musical versatility, while 'Let Me Ride Away With The Horsemen' and 'It's Midnight and the Doves Are in Tears' present emotional depth. Concluding with 'To Be a Papa,' the album underscores the band's ability to evoke introspection and solidarity, making 'Valley of Abandoned Songs' an album to check out.
Review: The long-established alternative folk act Fink, led by Fin Greenall - an undeservingly lesser-hailed favourite on the Ninja Tune roster for some time now - returns with their eighth studio album, Beauty In Your Wake. Finding movement and motivation in loss, Greenall, the now Berlin resident, sought a native Cornish peace and solitude in the back-to-earth atmosphere of the county's small village of Zennor, where the album was recorded. Initially going in without an agenda, Fink soon found themselves with the ambition to create a 'classic' lo-fi English folk album; the likes of 'What Would You Call Yourself' and 'So We Find Ourselves' flaunt honest and free-associative lyrics, combining these with muted mixes and cleanly-recorded instrumentation for a less experimental but equally more heartfelt album compared to former LPs.
Review: Flunk's third album, 'Personal Stereo,' released in 2007, has never been available on vinyl before now. It continued their signature blend of Anja's ethereal vocals, Ulf's electronica, and Jo's intricate guitar work while maintaining their trademark uplifting melancholy. The album explores darker themes compared to its predecessors, For Sleepyheads Only (2002) and Morning Star (2004) and revisits their debut's eclectic approach, sampling from decades of popular music as evidenced in tracks like 'Personal Stereo' and 'Change My Ways.' Cult favourite Daniel Johnston features on 'Haldi' adding a unique touch to an album recorded entirely in Oslo apartments. In all, this is a perfect example of Flunk's distinctive "budget pop" style.
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