Tag: Folk ballad

THE BRIGADIER – Album Review: “Sailing the Seven Neuroses”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews17 Comments
Boat photography by Ben Yates.

I recently learned about The Brigadier, the music project of singer-songwriter, musician and producer Matt Williams, when he reached out to me about his new album Sailing the Seven Neuroses. Originally from Wales but now based in Devon, England, he’s had music in his blood since his teens. He grew up listening to his parents and older siblings’ records that ran the gamut from rock and roll, country and bluegrass to 80s pop, new wave and rock, plus his dad plays guitar and banjo and was always in bands. Matt started learning to play guitar at the age of 13, and began playing in a series of bands. By the early 2000s he was living in Brighton, where he fronted a band called Brigadier, where he was the main songwriter and singer. Though they rehearsed for quite a while, the band never really took off, and when they eventually fell apart he kept the name as a solo artist.

In 2007, he released his debut album View from the Bath, and over the next 10 years he released another five excellent albums, as well as four seasonally themed EPs. Influenced by some of his favorite acts like Queen, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Nick Lowe, The Divine Comedy, early Genesis and Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, as well as country rock, 60s, 70s & 80s pop, and synthpop, his highly melodic music is a pleasing blend of power pop, rock, folk and synthpop elements, featuring relatable lyrics reflecting his life and relationship experiences expressed through his comforting low-key vocals.

In addition to his prolific music output from 2007-17, Matt also produced and recorded soundtrack work for documentaries and short films, and his music garnered both local, national and international radio coverage, including BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Southern Counties and Radio Devon, as well as performing live sessions and interviews for BBC Southern Counties and BBC Devon, and in USA and Europe, as well as magazine coverage. He’d intended to continue with his music, but life, family and jobs took precedence, leaving his time and energy for making music rather depleted. Now, after an eight-year hiatus, he’s back with his seventh album Sailing the Seven Neuroses, which dropped yesterday, June 18th.

Photo by Digital Horse Brasses

All songs on the album were written, performed and produced by The Brigadier, with the exception of drums on “The Purge” and “Hot Solace”, which were played by Emily Dolan Davies, “What about tomorrow?” by James Carmichael Dooley, and “It’s you I think about” and “Don’t go to bed with a bad mind” by 444. Mastering was done by Wayne Bassett (who’s also a member of Welsh electro/art punk band Head Noise, who I’ve featured several times on this blog) at Robot Recordings. And rather interestingly, like all previous albums by The Brigadier, Sailing the Seven Neuroses features 13 tracks.

I’m always a bit apprehensive when an artist I’m unfamiliar with approaches me about possibly reviewing their album, but my reservations were quickly put to rest as I listened to Sailing the Seven Neuroses, as there’s much to like here. The album opens with “Bleak Companion“, a marvelous power pop song that hooked me right from the start. The lyrics speak to dealing with the day to day routines of work and obligations that seem to get in the way of living: “I’m so tired of having to get out of bed to do the things I have to do, but there’s no other way.” In addition to the infectious driving melody and stellar guitar work, I love the airy synths and Matt’s exquisite layered vocal harmonies.

The song gently segues into the lovely second track “The Purge“, and as the song unfolds it’s clear Matt hasn’t lost a step during his long time away from music. In fact, his musicianship and vocals sound better than ever. This song reminds me of some of Todd Rundgren’s early work, though the harmonies seem to channel the Beach Boys in spots.

Those wonderful harmonies are on full display on the incredibly pleasing “Blessings“, which features some gorgeous jangly guitars and spirited piano keys over a lively, upbeat melody. The Brigadier admonishes us to appreciate what we’ve got and not compare ourselves to others: “Count your blessings before you mess things up reflecting on the stuff you haven’t got. Don’t compare and contrast, ’cause you’ll only take a fast track to feeling pretty down about your life.“

The great songs just keep on coming. “Peace within the Poison” has a delightful retro 60s vibe that calls to mind some of the great pop songs by the Lovin’ Spoonful and Beach Boys, but with a contemorary treatment. And once again, I must call out The Brigadier’s lush vocal harmonies, which are also nicely featured on the enchanting “Perfect Surprise“.

The Brigadier takes us into the 80s with the exuberant, synth-dominant beauty “Hot Solace“, a song about not letting petty problems and slights get the best of us: “I won’t let the melancholy come over me. I let the pouring rain wash away the pain.” Midway through the album is the title track “Sailing the Seven Neuroses“, a somewhat quirky but beautiful instrumental track with a bit of a tropical flair that ventures toward ethereal psychedelia at the end. Next up is “Man about the House“, a terrific power pop gem serving up grungy guitar work and insistent piano keys layered over a strong toe-tapping beat.

On “Heaven’s in my Heart“, he creates an enthralling otherworldly soundscape with a colorful mix of spacey and carnival-like psychedelic synths and resonant guitar work that seem to channel Pink Floyd in spots. His little symphonic flourishes and soothing breathy vocals are delicious. Those 80s influences are back on the irresistible love song “It’s you I think about“, featuring sparkling synths and warm guitar lines. And on the effervescent “Everyday an Ordeal“, vibrant piano and organ take center stage, fortified with arresting rock guitar chords and Matt’s joyful comforting vocals as he sings of wanting to find a bit of escape from life’s daily struggles: “Everyday an ordeal. Everyday the frustration is real. Everyday the struggle within. You just want to find a place to hide away.”

With it’s stomping beat, soaring choruses and exuberant blend of chiming, twangy and gnarly guitars, “What about tomorrow?” reminds me somewhat of “Hot Love” by T.Rex with a bit of Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys thrown in for good measure. And saving the best for last, The Brigadier closes the album with “Don’t go to bed with a bad mind“, a glorious five and a half minute-long tour de force that really showcases his impressive songwriting and musicianship. He seems to effortlessly pull together beautiful melodies, numerous time changes and fascinating musical textures from a dizzying array of styles and elements, yet it all works beautifully. And I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but once again I must make note of those gorgeous harmonies that so strongly echo the Beach Boys. And in fact, in a recent interview with Aldora Britain Records, Matt responded to a question as to his favorite artist with “Queen or The Beach Boys depending on the day.”

Sailing the Seven Neuroses is a beautiful album that keeps sounding better with each listen. Every track is superb, with no weak ones that make me want to skip past, which isn’t something I can say about very many albums. The Brigadier is most definitely back!

The Brigadier’s socials:  Facebook / Instagram 

Find his music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube

VOODOO PLANET feat. MIKEY J – Single Review: “Adrift” 

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews17 Comments

It can be argued that modern technology is both a blessing and a curse, but certainly one redeeming aspect of it is the ability it affords for different musicians located halfway around the world to come together and collaborate in the creation of a song. As a shining example of that synergy, I bring you “Adrift“, the wonderful new single by American rock band Voodoo Planet and Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mikey J.

Based in DeSoto, Missouri, a small city approximately 40 miles southwest of St. Louis (where I lived from 1995-2011), Voodoo Planet formed in 2010, and consists of John Gilbert on guitar & vocals, Ed Henry on bass, guitar & vocals, Adrienne Myers on keyboards & vocals, and Patrick Myers on drums & vocals. Their eclectic sound draws from a wide cross-section of genres including garage, alternative, grunge, punk, psychedelic and experimental rock, country, folk, Americana and pop.

They began releasing music in 2013 with their self-titled EP Voodoo Planet, followed by their live EP Bookstore Sessions in 2017. Several tracks from both EPs were later included in their full-length album Ripsnorters, released in early 2020. Some of the tracks were inspired by the stories of real historical figures like Lizzie Borden and the radium girls, women factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watches with luminous paint containing radium. After a bit of a hiatus, they came roaring back in early 2023 with “Bewitched” a song touching on the sad tale of Bridget Bishop, who was persecuted in the Salem witch trials. Since then, they’ve dropped several more singles, their latest of which is “Adrift”, their collaboration with Mikey J.

Mikey J (aka Michael Johnson), who humbly refers to himself as “just a dude who loves music“, is a prolific singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Melbourne, Australia. Inspired by some of the great songwriters of the past, life experiences and his family, his songs are a mix of rock, blues, folk, funk and indie influences, all of which he performs and records in what he calls his simple setup at home. He’s been writing and recording music since his teens, releasing his first self-titled EP in 1999 at the age of 17 with his then band Blue Tracer. In 2011, he released a solo album Happy “​六​” Anniversary, inspired by and dedicated to his wife Ella. Nearly 10 years would pass until his next release ISO​-​Inspiration, an album inspired by the Covid lockdown, in October 2020. Since then, Mikey J’s been on a creative tear, dropping five more albums, as well as numerous singles.

Described as “an acoustic seafaring-themed song about lost friendship“, “Adrift” is a bit of a stylistic departure for both Voodoo Planet and Mikey J, with a mellower, more contemplative feel than their typical, more rock-oriented sounds. For the track’s recording, John Gilbert played acoustic guitar & percussion, and sang vocals, Pat Myers played bass, drums & percussion, Adrienne Myers played piano & keyboards, and Mikey J played cello. The track was co-produced by John Gilbert and Ed Henry, and mixed and mastered by Ed.

The song is a melancholy but lovely folk ballad that tells the sad tale of a group of young men who go out on a sailing adventure that ends in tragedy. John’s beautifully strummed acoustic guitar, accompanied by Adrienne’s soothing organ riff and the sound of gently crashing waves, set a comforting tone for the song. But soon, Mikey J’s somber cello strings enter, injecting a palpable sense of tension and unease to the proceedings. John’s pleasing, low-key vocals convey feelings of resignation and sadness as he sings the bittersweet lyrics:

Signed up for a party, on a big metal ship
Things got heavy, the boat began to tip, boat began to tip.
As young sailors, we never learned how to swim, No hanging on, dear.
The quicker to meet our end, quicker to meet our end.
Tried all the knots, to find one that would hold, 
Hard to tie when hands and hearts grow cold, hands and hearts grow cold.

That storm came crashing in, we knew it had to end
That storm came crashing in, we knew it had to end.
The sea didn't take us that day 
The sea didn't take us that day
The sea didn't take us that day
Only one of us washed away, only one of us walked away..

Lost at sea, my friend, far away at the world's end
Tied a string to all we held dear
But sirens whispered in your ear, sirens whispered in your ear
Things best unspoken, and floating debris,
Best leave it all, and sink into the sea, sink in to the sea.

The sea didn't take us that day 
The sea didn't take us that day
The sea didn't take us that day
Only one of us washed away, only one of us walked away..

No wind in our sails, but we're headed home
Might drown in a bottle, you never know
Pray all you like, but keep rowing for shore.

The Bandcamp offering is an EP which includes the original song, along with two alternate mixes.

Follow Voodoo Planet:  Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / Threads

Find their music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube 

Follow Mikey J:  Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / Threads

Find his music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Soundcloud

CHRIS MARDULA – Single Review: “Angels & Demons”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews10 Comments

This past April, I featured British singer-songwriter Chris Mardula, an earnest and talented guy from Durham County in Northeast England, in an Artist Spotlight. To briefly summarize, his music style is strongly influenced by elements of folk, indie rock and blues. A seasoned musician, he’s played in several bands over the years, but often feeling frustrated by uneven levels of commitment by other members, he decided to go it alone as a solo artist. In November 2022, Chris began releasing singles at the rate of one per month, and has now dropped his 8th single “Angels & Demons“. 

A hauntingly beautiful piano ballad, “Angels & Demons” is a very personal song for Chris, and was inspired by the recent passing of his father. The song touches on memories from his childhood, when he was too young to understand his father’s struggles with depression and alcoholism brought on by his own tough upbringing. His father (Chris’s grandfather) was a Polish World War II veteran who’d escaped from a concentration camp and fled to England to start a new life. Witnessing unimaginable things, like having his family wiped out during the war, left him with emotional scars that were sadly passed down to Chris’s father. In the song, Chris uses angels and demons as metaphors to help him understand his father’s actions more clearly: “We need to understand why people are the way they are, as everyone is fighting battles we don’t know about or understand, unless we are in their shoes. Everyone has good and bad in them, and sometimes we need to face things head-on and try and deal with them to stop going down the wrong path. Everyone does things with good intentions and usually for self preservation.”

For the recording of the song, Chris played the somber piano riff and edgy, mournful guitar riff that arrives halfway through the track, while Ben Young, who produced the track, played the haunting string arrangements. Chris’s heartfelt vocals are filled with emotion as he wistfully sings “When you’re lost in the mayhem. When you’re lost in your mind. We’ve all got angels and demons. We’ve all got to face them sometimes.” It’s a lovely, deeply moving song.

The heartwarming video includes stock footage that helps convey the sentiments expressed in the lyrics, interspersed with old family photos featuring Chris’s dad in the second half.

Connect with Chris: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Find his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / Soundcloud / YouTube