Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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Sorry to hear on that, Sadds. If it's any consolation, it's where I'm camped out too, but sorry you missed this. At least I get Jon Champion on the mic.
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The Album Review Club - Week #193 (page 1300) - East Side Story - Squeeze
- Thread starter RobMCFC
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GoatersLeftShin
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I listened to the album about 5 times in one day! :) it started out as background music more than anything but each listen I just seemed to hear something I liked. I've had it on quite a few times and really enjoying it!I try and do that from time to time too. The past two weeks, I didn't need to read about DSOTM here, but I did see the comments on Prisoner, but I had my own take there and as they still say, "I know what I like".
I feel Rob has since on "A Month Of Sundays" here of comments on the country debate on this band has well captured my same view on them here. To liberally borrow and rephrase what Senator Lloyd Bentsen once said: "I know Country Music. Sometimes, Country Music can a friend of mine. Boy & Bear, you're no Country Music."
I wanted more time with this after my initial listens in April to see if I still felt I was going to nominate this. I will say when Spotify gives me my EOY stats in early Dec, this band is going to far exceed anything else I have listened to in 2025, so I share your feeling about the more you listen, the more it can grow on you. That also harkens back to Coatigan's recent note about how many albums that are in your top # are ones that had to grow? While this one initially hooked me in, I have found it has raised in overall stature after repeated listens.
And on the Coldplay comparison, that wasn't a band I was consciously thinking about initially. However, if you are going to provide a comparison, I'm going to hopefully request you are thinking of the X&Y (read: best) period of the band, not the current version that I hardly recognize.
There is another band they somewhat remind me of that a user here that I hope would like this might mention, and if they don't, I'll come in at the end with my thoughts. In my defense there, I didn't even hear this until yesterday when hearing an older song from that band as a somewhat feeble yellow card offense of a hint. ;-)
I'm going to admit I'm a bit surprised this one raised up to you liking it so much in just a half a week's time, but I'm very happy it did, Cheers!
And as @bennyboy noted, they will be in the UK in late Feb/early March if they are coming close to any of you while I will jealously look on.
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Yeah the Coldplay comparison is one I wasn't sure was a compliment haha but it is, especially the earlier years when they were superb.
I felt I had a fair bit more to say about this album, but if I am being honest, I just don't think I can better 'a Country Coldplay' as a perfect and simple summary of it.
Like it, like its pace, production, depth at times and delivery. Like that it reminds me of other things I like. Country tinge is a distraction, but the fact I even tolerate it never mind not being put off by it is maybe testament to the rest of its strangths. A solid 7 all in.
Like it, like its pace, production, depth at times and delivery. Like that it reminds me of other things I like. Country tinge is a distraction, but the fact I even tolerate it never mind not being put off by it is maybe testament to the rest of its strangths. A solid 7 all in.
OB1
Well-Known Member
Reminds me of the War on Drugs. Decent. 7/10.
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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I mentioned WOD in my initial intro, but not Coldplay. Still intentional. ;-)Thanks.Been bugging me who it reminds me of vocals wise.
A great pick this one.Nothing to add that has not been posted but loved this weeks pick. Great listen no weak tracks so an extra point for that. Will get into more of their stuff in the coming weeks after that various artists of Tim and Neil Finn songs....9/10
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Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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Given Boy & Bear were inspired by Neil Young and his 70's output, I was hoping this might be something you'd not hate/tolerate/maybe like?, so I'm glad you did. I will honestly say even I didn't see this coming from a mile away.A great pick this one.Nothing to add that has not been posted but loved this weeks pick. Great listen no weak tracks so an extra point for that. Will get into more of their stuff in the coming weeks after that various artists of Tim and Neil Finn songs....9/10
Cheers, and if you get to see them on tour, I hope that works out too. They've covered "Heart of Gold" on many live sets, and guitarist Killian Gavin has cited Neil Young's Harvest album as a significant musical influence.
BlueHammer85
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Thanks.Been bugging me who it reminds me of vocals wise.
Bear’s Den , Manchester Orchestra and Mumford & Sons
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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I was waiting for someone to hear the 3rd listed, and figured it would come at some point.Bear’s Den , Manchester Orchestra and Mumford & Sons
Boy & Bear supported Mumford & Sons on their 2010 Australian tour leg, with both having folk rock leanings, the latter of which are more known for their high-energy, banjo-driven anthems.
That would have been the 2nd opening band that I enjoy more than Mumford & Sons, as I previously went to see the headliner in 2015, and ended up much more enjoying The Maccabees, who I would hear for the very first time that night.
FogBlueInSanFran
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Back home from the islands finally with a minimum of flight-related fuss thank God. Will give this a couple of spins tomorrow and wax as poetic as time allows. I’m okay with country and okay with Coldplay but whether a fusion works or it’s subtraction by addition we shall see . . . or hear, rather.
GornikDaze
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Having read Country and Coldplay in the same sentence in someone’s observations, my hopes for this weeks pick were in tatters. Yes I’m getting some country vibes - End of the Line being a good example, but thankfully Coldplay was conspicuous by its/their absence. Mind you, if anyone wants to nominate a Coldplay album I’ll happily give it a 1/10 purely on the basis that negative marks are not available. My dislike of Coldplay runs very deep… think Simply Red or Fog’s love of Radiohead. Overrated bland pish!!
Anyway, back to this week. I’ve recently changed approach with my guitar playing, and I’m heading down a much more acoustic path. Listening to Boy & Bear at the weekend, restringing and giving some love to the old strummer, I found this a very pleasant experience. Decent vocals and some lovely guitar work - solid 7/10 for me.
Nice nomination @Black&White&BlueMoon Town from someone I’d not heard of before
Anyway, back to this week. I’ve recently changed approach with my guitar playing, and I’m heading down a much more acoustic path. Listening to Boy & Bear at the weekend, restringing and giving some love to the old strummer, I found this a very pleasant experience. Decent vocals and some lovely guitar work - solid 7/10 for me.
Nice nomination @Black&White&BlueMoon Town from someone I’d not heard of before
threespires
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Bear’s Den , Manchester Orchestra and Mumford & Sons
I was waiting for someone to hear the 3rd listed, and figured it would come at some point.
Boy & Bear supported Mumford & Sons on their 2010 Australian tour leg, with both having folk rock leanings, the latter of which are more known for their high-energy, banjo-driven anthems.
That would have been the 2nd opening band that I enjoy more than Mumford & Sons, as I previously went to see the headliner in 2015, and ended up much more enjoying The Maccabees, who I would hear for the very first time that night.
Now you've both spoilt the part of my review that read...
"it's quite difficult to get this right, mess up and you run the risk of sounding a whole range of 'wrong': plodding, soporific, whimsical, earnest and earnest only etc. Or worse still something that shouldn't happen to any musicians, you wake up one morning and find you are in fact Mumford and Sons."
Cheap shot I know but at no point have I claimed to be anything other than cheap.
BlueHammer85
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Now you've both spoilt the part of my review that read...
"it's quite difficult to get this right, mess up and you run the risk of sounding a whole range of 'wrong': plodding, soporific, whimsical, earnest and earnest only etc. Or worse still something that shouldn't happen to any musicians, you wake up one morning and find you are in fact Mumford and Sons."
Cheap shot I know but at no point have I claimed to be anything other than cheap.
Not sure why Mumford Sons get such a bad rep on here... they've done some good stuff.
RobMCFC
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Harlequin Dream – Boy & Bear
Two weeks, two albums by Australian artists, who’d have thought it? I bought Harlequin Dream several years ago, mainly based on the exceptional cover art, but I must have also read a review or two as well. Maybe. It’s interesting that a few people have cited a country sound because when I bought this, after the first few listens, I was disappointed with the lack of grit, the lack of those acoustic instruments. I can’t say that this has been in heavy rotation since then, but playing it this week was like been re-acquainted with, not so much an old friend, more somebody I used to know a few years ago.
Repeated listens shows that whatever my initial thoughts, this album does feature some nice arrangements. To me, it’s more of a smooth sound where the stringed instruments are blended sympathetically with the synths, so more a better version of Coldplay/Radiohead than anything remotely country, and Dave Hosking has a decent voice. “Southern Son”, “Harlequin Dream” and “Bridges” are especially good songs, with the lilting title track having been stuck in my head all weekend.
Given that @ Black&White&BlueMoon Town made a point of mentioning the powerful lyrics on show here, I had a quick look at some of them whilst listening to the album. I can’t say that they struck me as particularly powerful, and despite the fact that musically “Bridges” is the best song on the album, I thought that the lyrics were very close to Foggy’s regular complaint about Radiohead: i.e. oh, look at poor old me, I’m a big-shot music star and I’m surrounded by cocaine and my world is falling apart. Still, at least the lyrics on most of the songs here have the feel of something that has been thought about as opposed to reaching for cliches.
There are some other little musical earworms later in the album, and whilst the full song might not necessarily stick, those little crafty instrumental parts on songs like “Back Down The Black”, “Real Estate” and “Stranger” make them an enjoyable listen. 7/10.
Two weeks, two albums by Australian artists, who’d have thought it? I bought Harlequin Dream several years ago, mainly based on the exceptional cover art, but I must have also read a review or two as well. Maybe. It’s interesting that a few people have cited a country sound because when I bought this, after the first few listens, I was disappointed with the lack of grit, the lack of those acoustic instruments. I can’t say that this has been in heavy rotation since then, but playing it this week was like been re-acquainted with, not so much an old friend, more somebody I used to know a few years ago.
Repeated listens shows that whatever my initial thoughts, this album does feature some nice arrangements. To me, it’s more of a smooth sound where the stringed instruments are blended sympathetically with the synths, so more a better version of Coldplay/Radiohead than anything remotely country, and Dave Hosking has a decent voice. “Southern Son”, “Harlequin Dream” and “Bridges” are especially good songs, with the lilting title track having been stuck in my head all weekend.
Given that @ Black&White&BlueMoon Town made a point of mentioning the powerful lyrics on show here, I had a quick look at some of them whilst listening to the album. I can’t say that they struck me as particularly powerful, and despite the fact that musically “Bridges” is the best song on the album, I thought that the lyrics were very close to Foggy’s regular complaint about Radiohead: i.e. oh, look at poor old me, I’m a big-shot music star and I’m surrounded by cocaine and my world is falling apart. Still, at least the lyrics on most of the songs here have the feel of something that has been thought about as opposed to reaching for cliches.
There are some other little musical earworms later in the album, and whilst the full song might not necessarily stick, those little crafty instrumental parts on songs like “Back Down The Black”, “Real Estate” and “Stranger” make them an enjoyable listen. 7/10.
threespires
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This was new to me, and I’ve played it a fair bit; possibly too much as I was at one point going to score it slightly lower than its initial impression on me.
It reminds me of an awful lot of quite diverse bands in a good way. Many of these have already been mentioned so I’ll focus on another aspect that hasn’t been mentioned, which I think isn’t as immediately obvious; which is how synthwave it sounds This might not seem that sound a comparison but there’s a few things that are giving me that vibe. There are specific sonic things like the reverb tails that are quite spacey and then mostly avoiding strong chord resolutions and then there’s more general vibes like a sense of nostalgic melancholy that stays restrained enough that it doesn’t tip over into something syrupy. But the most obvious reason is the rhythmic patterns and intent, hypnotic mid-tempos that pulse rather than race forward. Along with the harmonics that almost give a sense of drifting but not aimlessly, you get to that sweet spot where it’s chilled but still has a sense of propulsion, something I really like. It’s very clearly not synthwave, but to me is like a sort of organic cousin who when you look at them in a certain light you can see the resemblance.
I was going to knock a point off from my original score on the basis that I’d overdone listening to it and decided it was an album to be limited to specific moods only, but then I remembered that at one point I found myself doing Sam Herring type gyrations round the kitchen, something no one needs to see least of all my long suffering family, but it made me happy. So, 8/10 it remains.
Btw - I also apologise for planning to be mean about Mumford and Sons, who on balance are probably unfairly maligned. I should be mostly saving my contempt up for the eventual nomination of Slippery When Wet, which for some time now I’ve awaited with a combination of dread and glee :-)
Btw 2 - @Coatigan is right about the cover, if I hadn't known when it was created I'd definitely be having a pop about AI
It reminds me of an awful lot of quite diverse bands in a good way. Many of these have already been mentioned so I’ll focus on another aspect that hasn’t been mentioned, which I think isn’t as immediately obvious; which is how synthwave it sounds This might not seem that sound a comparison but there’s a few things that are giving me that vibe. There are specific sonic things like the reverb tails that are quite spacey and then mostly avoiding strong chord resolutions and then there’s more general vibes like a sense of nostalgic melancholy that stays restrained enough that it doesn’t tip over into something syrupy. But the most obvious reason is the rhythmic patterns and intent, hypnotic mid-tempos that pulse rather than race forward. Along with the harmonics that almost give a sense of drifting but not aimlessly, you get to that sweet spot where it’s chilled but still has a sense of propulsion, something I really like. It’s very clearly not synthwave, but to me is like a sort of organic cousin who when you look at them in a certain light you can see the resemblance.
I was going to knock a point off from my original score on the basis that I’d overdone listening to it and decided it was an album to be limited to specific moods only, but then I remembered that at one point I found myself doing Sam Herring type gyrations round the kitchen, something no one needs to see least of all my long suffering family, but it made me happy. So, 8/10 it remains.
Btw - I also apologise for planning to be mean about Mumford and Sons, who on balance are probably unfairly maligned. I should be mostly saving my contempt up for the eventual nomination of Slippery When Wet, which for some time now I’ve awaited with a combination of dread and glee :-)
Btw 2 - @Coatigan is right about the cover, if I hadn't known when it was created I'd definitely be having a pop about AI
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
I thought about it but it's too county for the patrons here.Btw - I also apologise for planning to be mean about Mumford and Sons, who on balance are probably unfairly maligned. I should be mostly saving my contempt up for the eventual nomination of Slippery When Wet, which for some time now I’ve awaited with a combination of dread and glee :-)
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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You can blame both of us, but on my BINGO card I can promise you I did not have BH85 on a cheap two-days-prior-to-the-wire coming through on a drive-by on that mention.Now you've both spoilt the part of my review that read...
I had my reply ready for whoever was going to bring it up first, I can promise you that, including a mention of The Maccabees as another opener for that band I more prefer.
And that is one thing on this album that he and I agree upon as well. ;-)TBtw 2 - @Coatigan is right about the cover, if I hadn't known when it was created I'd definitely be having a pop about AI
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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Rob and I have done everything we can after that first mention to reassure you and others, but somewhere there is someone on the West Coast about to dig in and expecting Waylon Jennings singing "Clocks" here. Can't wait for that one!Having read Country and Coldplay in the same sentence in someone’s observations, my hopes for this weeks pick were in tatters. Yes I’m getting some country vibes - End of the Line being a good example, but thankfully Coldplay was conspicuous by its/their absence.
Great, I'm glad you enjoyed it and think thus far only Rob was half-aware of this band from an album cover Aussie band purchase.Anyway, back to this week. I’ve recently changed approach with my guitar playing, and I’m heading down a much more acoustic path. Listening to Boy & Bear at the weekend, restringing and giving some love to the old strummer, I found this a very pleasant experience. Decent vocals and some lovely guitar work - solid 7/10 for me.
Nice nomination @Black&White&BlueMoon Town from someone I’d not heard of before
journolud
Well-Known Member
It's been a rich few musical weeks for me with new releases from Other Lives, Midlake and the Bats all on heavy rotation and all very good. Add to that refamiliarising myself with my next nomination (a classic of course) and the Jezabels still worthy of a listen it might have been hard to see where Boy & Bear fit in.
Was there a risk it could have been a much hyped new signing that failed to make an impression, like Florian Wirtz for example? Well, the answer to that is no. It could have been one of those signing like the increasingly impressive Nico Gonzalez that needed time to settle in but this one, like Aymeric Laporte showed it's quality from the off. It's sat comfortably in the rotation without me feeling I wanted to get to the end to listen to one of the others on the list and may well be one that I look to add to my vinyl collection when I get round to buying the rest.
The last time a band made such an instant impression on me was when I heard Woods on a sampler CD and set about hoovering as much of their stuff as I could. This hasn't quite got me doing that but in any other week might well have done. As previously mentioned a listen to their "top tracks" on Spotify tells me they should leave cover versions alone.
This album opens with three outstanding tracks. I usually get an allergic reaction when I see a song titled any sort of Blues but Old Town Blues has a great vibe. Harlequin Dream also great and thoroughly enjoyed the sax near the end.
A lot of albums would struggle to sustain the quality after such an opening but to it's credit this one, while not quite maintaining the heights doesn't sag. It threatens to get a bit Mumford and Sonsy on A Moments Grace but then there is one of their albums I like and so it isn't too much distraction. In fact it's another fine song. A closer comparison to anyone for me would be Israel Nash, country but not quite country. I think
The other highlight is Back Down in the Black but there are no weak songs here. I'm off to the states tomorrow and hope to have time to listen to all five album on the current rotation and I suspect I'll be checking out more of Boy & Bear in the fullness of time. Meanwhile scoring for this is 8.5
Was there a risk it could have been a much hyped new signing that failed to make an impression, like Florian Wirtz for example? Well, the answer to that is no. It could have been one of those signing like the increasingly impressive Nico Gonzalez that needed time to settle in but this one, like Aymeric Laporte showed it's quality from the off. It's sat comfortably in the rotation without me feeling I wanted to get to the end to listen to one of the others on the list and may well be one that I look to add to my vinyl collection when I get round to buying the rest.
The last time a band made such an instant impression on me was when I heard Woods on a sampler CD and set about hoovering as much of their stuff as I could. This hasn't quite got me doing that but in any other week might well have done. As previously mentioned a listen to their "top tracks" on Spotify tells me they should leave cover versions alone.
This album opens with three outstanding tracks. I usually get an allergic reaction when I see a song titled any sort of Blues but Old Town Blues has a great vibe. Harlequin Dream also great and thoroughly enjoyed the sax near the end.
A lot of albums would struggle to sustain the quality after such an opening but to it's credit this one, while not quite maintaining the heights doesn't sag. It threatens to get a bit Mumford and Sonsy on A Moments Grace but then there is one of their albums I like and so it isn't too much distraction. In fact it's another fine song. A closer comparison to anyone for me would be Israel Nash, country but not quite country. I think
The other highlight is Back Down in the Black but there are no weak songs here. I'm off to the states tomorrow and hope to have time to listen to all five album on the current rotation and I suspect I'll be checking out more of Boy & Bear in the fullness of time. Meanwhile scoring for this is 8.5