ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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The Burns Unit
SIDE SHOW PROPER RECORDS 2.8.10 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk
The Burns Unit label themselves as being an eight-piece supergroup, spanning the Atlantic as they hark from both Scotland and Canada. With members including Karine Polwart and King Creosote, much could be expected from this new collaboration – and with great reason. What we find with “Side Show” is a varied and engaging offering with more than a few surprises! The sound of the album is broken down into four different genres; folk-rock, classic folk in the Sandy Denny/Maddy Prior vein, Indie and, most enticingly, Bollywood. So to begin with the unusual; of the ten tracks on offer by The Burns Unit, three are at least vocally influenced by the Bollywood style of speedy, wavering vocals. At best guess, this would appear to be the style of one of the band’s members, but I’m struggling to make any of them fit. Nevertheless, for some reason this sound works, even (and especially) when mixed in between the other styles on offer. The best example is “Send Them Kids To War”, which encompasses both the Indian sound and vocals (which are so authentic it’s often difficult to make out many of the words, despite them being in English). This track, one of the highlights of an excellent album, folds in the other members of the band to create a fusion of cultures – and a very catchy chorus! Other tracks with an Eastern influence are “Majesty Of Decay”, with the vocals being used against a standard western beat to become a gentle folk offering, and “What Is Life?”, with a tremendously catchy hook, although the ensemble choral vocals are a little mismatched. Returning to more familiar ground, the many folk-inspired tracks take us through a range of tempos and emotions. “Since We’ve Fallen Out” has a modern folk sound, with the duel male/female vocals creating a balance that covers two sides of an all-too-familiar story. Interestingly, this is one of the few tracks where the band’s Scottish accents come through, which only adds to the discursive tone. “Sorrys”, also on the theme of relationship difficulties, offers a simplicity & honesty that fits the subject matter, with multiple vocals accompanied by plucked guitar and occasional piano keys to create a solemn tone. Conversely, the teasing “Trouble” is all pop beats and cheeky boastfulness, with lines like ‘trouble rents a house near me / all I need is a hell-raising neighbour’. Halfway between the two is “Future Pilot A.K.C”, Indie in the style of Idlewild, with a catchy chorus but a bit of an edge. Sadly, when the tracks are left to sparsely-accompanied female vocals, they suffer. “Blood, Ice & Ashes” is story-driven but mediocre, “You Need Me To Need This” only gets going properly when the tempo builds to a slow polka with male vocal accompaniment and closing track “Helpless To Turn” feels like it was left at the end for a reason. It’s nice enough, but unremarkable. I mention these last three tracks mostly for balance, because I loved this album. It’s lively and inventive, and the track order is perfect to keep the surprises coming and the sound varied. It’s clear that every collaborator in the band has been allowed to bring their sound with them, and the album is all the better for that. Much less a Side Show, this is a main attraction that deserves to be up in lights. www.theburnsunitband.com |
