If you suffer with thalassophobia it's probably best to look away now. If there is an overriding theme to the debut full length from "Drown Your Heart Again" by The Strange Death of Liberal England, it's maritime.
I've followed TSDOLE for some time, one of my current favourite live acts, their live set is always a treat due to it’s energy and rousing pacing. So whilst clearly I'm a fan, I did not expect them to produce an album that is this consistently good, it really is outstanding.
Preceding singles "Rising Sea" and "Flagships" set the theme with their infectious energy and catchy choruses. The tempo then goes up a notch. "Like a Curtain Falling" will have you toe-tapping and head-nodding with it's up-tempo frantic pace. These songs are anthemic, intense indie-pop that are as instantly accessible and deserving of mainstream radio airplay as anything on the recent Arcade Fire LP.
The first quiet moment comes on "Autumn" which blends perfectly into one of my album highlights "Shadows" which sees bassist Kelly Jones share lead-vocal duties towards the end, the song (and album) works so well thanks to the incredible layered sound heard throughout, there is seldom an instrument out of place, the band all pulling together in perfect harmony.
The maturity in the songwriting and vocal talents of Adam Woolway are highlighted perfectly on the epic album finale "Dog Barking at the Moon" as well as having a great name, the track is just brilliant, from it's beautiful, tranquil opening to it's swirling orchestral moments and it's crashing waves crescendo do end.
Complaints? Few and far between. I'd like to see Kelly Jones take more of the vocal on a few times but if you read this blog, you’ll know I’m a sucker for a female behind a mic-stand!
The concept album is no longer dead. This is not an album with two or three good songs along with filler, this is a perfectly crafted album of material that deserves to be sat aside each other like the good times of British rock & roll when iTunes didn't make individual songs a 79 pence single press of a button away.
9.0 / 10
Catch TSDOLE on tour in the UK throughout October. Lots of dates so they will be visiting a town near you. See here.
Buy the album from recordstore and it'll be signed.
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