I’m so happy that I didn’t write my review of this record upon my first listening of this record. I was completely in the wrong mood and wrong setting. In work, having quite a manic day and surrounded by people who proclaim “tune” every time they hear the opening bars to ‘Sex is on Fire’. (“What the fuck is this country bullshit, Ama?” one said during this first listening in my work space). So it’s Sunday. I’m half watching the Singapore Grand Prix. (I think Hamilton’s bagged it but Vettel’s not too far behind). This is more like it. I’m lying in bed and my toes are warm. I have a piping hot mug of tea. Ideal…
This, the second release from Geoff Farina (of Karate / The Secret Stars fame)’s Glorytellers moniker is a simple, short but sweet affair, clocking in at just over half an hour and rimming with wallops of folksy and bluesy twangs, meshed with some truly delicate intricate melodies. Opener ‘The Lost Half Mile’ oozes a welcoming sunny charm which will want to get you grabbing those belt hooks and slapping those thighs and ‘Fours’ and ‘Blue Flag’ display some splendidly expert guitar playing, which I must add never feels self-conscious or contrived but slips out effortlessly within the songs. The acoustic/electric guitar pairing on ‘Concaves’ are so entwined with one another, that you’d be forgiven for wanting them to get a room.
‘Hawaiian Sunshine’ could leave you feeling dizzy as it bombards you with finger-picking wonder. It’s so precisely delivered you can only listen in appreciation but you do seem to notice a similar pattern emerging on this journey through Americana of love, separations, hay fever, bus journeys and cracks in the pavement.. But thankfully before it ventures into Samey Canyon, you’ve soon reached the album’s climax of ‘Omni Stars’ and ‘The Coldest War’. Both are drawn out with more freedom for instrumental movements which offer much needed relief. The pace has slowed considerably as we prepare for the sunset horizon finale. The outro to ‘Omni Stars’ in particular sounds equally exquisite as it does languid.
Sure, it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea (see: Kings of Leon for that) but Farina’s colourful lyrics and subtle vocal melodies really do shine through in these jaunty songs of his. One of the years hidden treasures me thinks.
Good review Ama!
It’s a pretty record and so different to just about everything else out there. It is rather soothing and ideal for train long train trips.
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