This is the sort of release in a band's discography which can slip into obscurity - like the Pigeon EP there's no mention of it on the official WP website, the packaging offers scant recording information (who's the girl singing?) and as far as I know they've never played any of these songs live. But as is often the case it's records such as this which reward the effort of finding it. All three tracks are keepers and it ends up being on of my favourite WP releases of recent times.
It's debatable whether this even constitutes as an EP, or indeed what its official name is, but I've tagged it after the lead track on side A, one of the most inscrutable tracks in their growing songlist. It sounds like a Tattersall solo track rather than a WP's song and features a dexterous descending guitar line which makes me think of Spaghetti, without really sounding like it. As I say, I've no idea what the song is about but it's intriguing enough to keep me playing it over and over a year on from first hearing it.
Sugar Maple Charcoal is much more familiar with the still-great Wave Picture rhythm on acoustic guitar, terrific lyrics and a gentle sing-a-long chorus. Drums are replaced with percussion to give it that camp-fire feeling. The final track, New Born Deer is one of the more beautiful songs they've written and recorded. It has a lightness of touch which Long Black Cars moved away from - more in the mood of Avocado Baby from their debut (in my eyes). Oh, and the "didn't you then" line always makes me smile as a callback to the song Instant Coffee Baby.
So, another 3 great songs and more undocumented recording sessions. There's violin (Dan Mayfield?) some horns and female backing vocals (I don't think it sounds like Freschard). Definitely a different, warmer sound to both Beer In The Breakers and Long Black Cars.
This is the sort of release in a band's discography which can slip into obscurity - like the Pigeon EP there's no mention of it on the official WP website, the packaging offers scant recording information (who's the girl singing?) and as far as I know they've never played any of these songs live. But as is often the case it's records such as this which reward the effort of finding it. All three tracks are keepers and it ends up being on of my favourite WP releases of recent times.
ReplyDeleteIt's debatable whether this even constitutes as an EP, or indeed what its official name is, but I've tagged it after the lead track on side A, one of the most inscrutable tracks in their growing songlist. It sounds like a Tattersall solo track rather than a WP's song and features a dexterous descending guitar line which makes me think of Spaghetti, without really sounding like it. As I say, I've no idea what the song is about but it's intriguing enough to keep me playing it over and over a year on from first hearing it.
Sugar Maple Charcoal is much more familiar with the still-great Wave Picture rhythm on acoustic guitar, terrific lyrics and a gentle sing-a-long chorus. Drums are replaced with percussion to give it that camp-fire feeling. The final track, New Born Deer is one of the more beautiful songs they've written and recorded. It has a lightness of touch which Long Black Cars moved away from - more in the mood of Avocado Baby from their debut (in my eyes). Oh, and the "didn't you then" line always makes me smile as a callback to the song Instant Coffee Baby.
So, another 3 great songs and more undocumented recording sessions. There's violin (Dan Mayfield?) some horns and female backing vocals (I don't think it sounds like Freschard). Definitely a different, warmer sound to both Beer In The Breakers and Long Black Cars.
they played "salt" when i saw this in april...and as you can imagine it was perfect.
ReplyDeletewhenever i hear a female vocal on their songs my first thought is lisa li-lund and then freschard. but i'm not sure on this one either.
not a lot of info, true. i think this is what i find lacking in the 7777777 issues, real liner notes.