The Album Review Club - Week #194 (page 1303) - Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road

Unfortunately, due to circumstances I’ve only managed two listens with no chance of any more tomorrow and I don’t consider that enough to fairly score this. What I would say is I’m surprised by some of the lower scores as they can clearly write a song and perform it well.

At times it sounds if not derivative then clearly influenced by others but then it is a debut album so hardly surprising, I’m not massively enamoured of the vocal delivery, but the (at times endearingly wonky) harmonies rescue the vocals for me. The production is hardly subtle but then again I don’t think it’s trying to be. Lyrically there’s the occasional line that suggests to me there’s a bit more depth than might be immediately obvious. If I’d had enough time to listen to this properly, I suspect I might be writing about the virtues of sincerity and how and where it does/doesn't work.

There’s enough there that I will listen a bit more and have a listen to later albums to see how/if their sound develops and differentiates itself. Apologies @Black&White&BlueMoon Town that I couldn't give this my full attention.
 
Coatigan said:
There is something quite primeval about harmonising. For me it awakens something intrinsic, in a way that many instruments or sole voices can't.

We may probably never know conclusively what the oldest form of music is. But it will likely be up there probably with tapping on or with objects in a rythmic fashion, and will have played a part in many cultures' evolution of music.

While subtle, this album's strenght for me is in at least one, if not both of those. That's the 'hook', that's what gets me and makes me come back to it, or go searching for more of their music. Yeah, the voices are a certain pitch, yes they come across as more 'chanty' than 'singy', yeah they are soft and all that. But they work in a set way, work with the instruments and the mood, and whole thing feels intricately layered and balanced. If there IS any wailing, it is a set back background tone, rather than in the fore.

The other interesting thing about this album, or maybe more generally the band, but the album as an example /getaway. I am often told of a, call it (quite common supposedly) phenomenon, where listeners to music 'place' themselves in a band or on a stage. Being the singer, the guitarist, effectively imagining themselves as one of a band or the artist. Sometimes with a bit of envy, sometimes awe, maybe a bit of indulgence including fantasising for hints of fame, style, skill, appreciation, or whatever really. I have never properly been able to adopt that phenomenon.
But if I did, if I was to 'imagine' having a bit of jealousy or wishing, it might well actually be these guys or certainly something like it. Purely for the feeling (true or not) they project, of making/enjoying music they want to and feel comfortable with, with your closest friends. Who wouldn't want that! That's something I like here, the apparent comradery, the lack of heirarchy, competition etc. Everyone plays their part, some parts are miniscule, but they add something and if one needs to drop something else to contribute it, then that's what they do, without hesitation. High pitched vocal weave to offset, ok. Shaking a shaker instead of rocking a guitar, ok. Everyone chips in. In fact, even the make-up of the band doesn't really define the roles. At least 3 of them play guitar parts. At least 3 of them sing. And take turns in doing so. At least 2 of them drum. A couple play keyboards. And they interchange as needed. And mostly, they just seem to bloody well enjoy it.

I know I am maybe skipping over the specifics of the album and its individual songs, but a)others have done that already and b)that's really not what the album is about for me, it is almost secondary to how I experience it. Yes I am attributing a bit of a wider context of their work elsewhere, or having seen them live, and the feelings that have bled through, sure. But that is also on the album, once it clicks in.

I love its gentle touch approach, the warmth to some of it, and the 'feels lime it is just about to rain' mood of some of the rest of it. A solid 8 from me.
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Well said, all of it.

Especially on the harkening back to the earliest forms of music and what was involved there. And spot on about them just enjoying the music and the fun of playing together. That was always something I got from their shows.
 
LOCAL NATIVES GORILLA MANOR

Quick review as I’m stuck for time, I like this it reminds me in someways of The Manchester Orchestra who thanks to BWBMT have become one of my favourites.The album starts well with ‘Wide Eyes’ and carries on till ‘Cards and Quarters’
I particularly liked ‘Who Knows who Cares’ not so keen on the cover
much prefer THs original.

All in all a good listen and another good recommendation by BWBMT
a band which I will definitely explore further but based on this not in MO league.



7/10
 
Mancitydoogle said:
LOCAL NATIVES GORILLA MANOR

Quick review as I’m stuck for time, I like this it reminds me in someways of The Manchester Orchestra who thanks to BWBMT have become one of my favourites.The album starts well with ‘Wide Eyes’ and carries on till ‘Cards and Quarters’
I particularly liked ‘Who Knows who Cares’ not so keen on the cover
much prefer THs original.

All in all a good listen and another good recommendation by BWBMT
a band which I will definitely explore further but based on this not in MO league.
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Yeah, I've seen both bands live at the exact same small venue, and MO is harder and the overlap between these two groups are not as much there. More harder alternative rock that is big sound guitar driven vs. the dynamics of the vocals and other instruments of the band. The quieter moments in LN is much more pronounced than with MO, save for their acoustic offerings (such as Hope).
 
It seems that most people weren't too keen on Gorilla Manor by Local Natives, but don't worry, @Black&White&BlueMoon Town. Given that you referenced @Coatigan saying that he didn't want to offer up one of his albums given the shellacking that my own Aimee Mann nomination got, it's ironic that this week's nomination ends up with an identical score to Aimee Mann's I'm With Stupid. That's 12 votes for an average of 5.79.

This week it's the turn of @southamptonblue , but he's pre-warned me that any clues (if there are any) and announcements won't come until much later today.
 
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

It was ok, I really wanted this to be more Alt J than the Script and at places it nearly exceeded- however I felt like a few others found myself drifting in and out at times, some songs started positively but lost its way and dragged on to much.
I did like the vocal harmonies throughout, block party sounding ‘Wide Eyes’ is a good indie opener and the best one one on here, ‘Airplanes’ and ‘Shape Shifters’ also good. It’s well polished, has good arrangements but just a bit bland overall. Good pick.

5/10
 
RobMCFC said:
It seems that most people weren't too keen on Gorilla Manor by Local Natives, but don't worry, @Black&White&BlueMoon Town. Given that you referenced @Coatigan saying that he didn't want to offer up one of his albums given the shellacking that my own Aimee Mann nomination got, it's ironic that this week's nomination ends up with an identical score to Aimee Mann's I'm With Stupid. That's 12 votes for an average of 5.79.

This week it's the turn of @southamptonblue , but he's pre-warned me that any clues (if there are any) and announcements won't come until much later today.
Click to expand...

Wile we're waiting here's a public service announcement - for anyone not familiar with Radio 4's Soul Music programme, it's a half hour dissection of a classic song with various contributors providing their perspective about why the song is powerful. It's short and nearly always interesting and entertaining with an eclectic mix of songs.

www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - Soul Music - Available now

Available episodes of Soul Music
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
RobMCFC said:
It seems that most people weren't too keen on Gorilla Manor by Local Natives, but don't worry, @Black&White&BlueMoon Town. Given that you referenced @Coatigan saying that he didn't want to offer up one of his albums given the shellacking that my own Aimee Mann nomination got, it's ironic that this week's nomination ends up with an identical score to Aimee Mann's I'm With Stupid. That's 12 votes for an average of 5.79.

This week it's the turn of @southamptonblue , but he's pre-warned me that any clues (if there are any) and announcements won't come until much later today.
Click to expand...

Actually a bit earlier ;) as on way back home from work, and not driving the van!!

The Band.......a shithole, imo, but many like it, and 'part' of a Facebook/forum Law enforcement.

The album.....what could often get shouted at kids...and a few in the 'transfer forum' .
...
 
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