STACK #145 Nov 2016

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MUSIC REVIEWS

Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials The Big Sound Of Inspired by slide guitar kings J.B. Hutto and Hound Dog Taylor, Ed Williams and his four-member band – who've been together unchanged for thirty years – continue to uphold the tradition of fiery, authentic, deeply-rooted Chicago blues with the release of their ninth album. Williams' clever, humorous songwriting, rollicking slide work and rough-edged, soulful singing, finds him at the top of his game on this collection of scorching slide workouts and slow smouldering tracks, many of them enhanced by the interplay between Ed and his lead guitarist Michael Garrett. This is real deal Chicago blues. (Alligator/Only Blues) Billy Pinnell

Leonard Cohen You Want It Darker It's not surprising that Leonard Cohen, in his 83rd year, continues to ruminate on mortality and life after death on his latest album, a companion to his 2014 release Popular Problems . Beautifully under-produced, Cohen's wizened voice sings, whispers, speaks, sometimes in the company of female gospel and soul singers, and a synagogue choir on at least two straight-ahead love songs; he also offers darker material with lines such as, "You want it darker, we kill the flame... I didn't know I had permission to murder and to maim," from the title track. Musically haunting, with subtle use of piano, violin, bass and guitar. (Sony) Billy Pinnell

Archie Roach Let Love Rule

Call it Aussie gospel. For his 10th album, Archie Roach has delivered a stirring collection of new songs about music’s oldest topic: love. “You know I love this country,” Roach sings in the title track, “every rock and every tree.” But he also knows that not everything is right in his country: “I cover up

my ears, so I cannot hear the voices of hate and the voices of fear.” The big-hearted Roach is a reassuring presence in troubled times. ("I’ll always be here,” he states simply.) Backed by a brilliant band – bass player Steve Hadley, drummer Dave Folley, violinist Jen Anderson, piano man Bruce Haymes and backing singer Nancy Bates – Roach and producer Craig Pilkington have crafted an album of understanding and compassion, hope and healing: “Love can make your spirits sing – it’s everything.” Roach is joined by the impressive Emma Donovan for Love Sweet Love ; the Dhungala Children’s Choir and Short Black Opera Company send Let Love Rule and No More Bleeding soaring, and Roach sings of the redemptive power of the Mighty Clarence River : “Be free, gotta be free.” Let Love Rule is a gift to the nation. Songs for the soul. (Liberation) Jeff Jenkins

Sleaford Mods TCR From the Sex Pistols to Billy Bragg to Sleaford Mods, extreme divisions in wealth spawn extremely good punk rock, and unlike the Mods’ namesake, anger never goes out of style. A decade into their career, Sleaford Mods are still resident physicians of all that ails the UK. Named for Scalextric track cars as metaphor for the mundane circuit of working class life, TCR’s five tracks are less keynote speech than the mic drop at the end of one. Jason Williamson’s pub-yob shouts and sneers leap off the grumbling synth and guitar lines of Andrew Fearn. Littered with protest slogans and nods to their noble lineage, Sleaford Mods have seen what the world’s gone through, and can’t stand to watch where it goes next. (RoughTrade/Remote Control) Jake Cleland

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry Shine A Light Let good friends Billy Bragg and Joe Henry take you on a historical train journey with a collection of old, familiar folk train songs. Boarding the Texas Eagle and travelling from Chicago to Los Angeles, they recorded over four days while traversing 2,728 miles of railroad track, recording on platforms and in waiting rooms while the train collected passengers along the way. Background train sounds and platform goings-on add to the very live and natural feel of these recordings, which include songs by Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly and others. ALL ABOARD... (CookingVinyl/Caroline) Denise Hylands

Meshuggah The Violent Sleep Of Reason Meshuggah may have fascinated people with their hybrid of thrash, death metal and jazz, but their automated approach has often left me cold. The Violent Sleep Of Reason is different. Not since Meshuggah’s debut, Contradictions Collapse , has the band sounded so organic. The reason is simple: Meshuggah chose to record the album live as a band. Forgoing the clinical approach of ObZen and Koloss gives the songs a chance to breathe naturally, and it’s a good thing in my book. Meshuggah haven’t slacked off when it comes to musical ability, but they have tapped into a down-to-earth vibe not heard in years. (Caroline/Nuclear Blast) Simon Lukic

Epica The Holographic Principle As their name suggests, Epica are nothing if not ambitious. The Dutch sextet have succeeded in taking symphonic metal into new directions and they’ve done so again with The Holographic Principle . Simone Simons' vocals are as expressive as always and the choirs employed always hit the spot. It’s their generous use of extreme vocals that gives them an edge over their peers. Epica is ultimately heavier than Nightwish and Within Temptation, as well as Kamelot and Symphony X. As expected, The Holographic Principle has a lot going on and going for it, so you’ll either love it for its overblown, pompous nature or shudder at the overproduced feel it conveys. (Caroline/Nuclear Blast) Simon Lukic

NOVEMBER 2016

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