Looking Back At The World is the debut album by The Gentle Spring the latest group fronted by Sarah Records legend Michael Hiscock from the Field Mice alongside Emilie Guillamot and Jeremie Orsel they are based in Paris.
The album opens rather gently on Sugartown that finds the acoustic guitars helping to set the scene for adventures in Dorset, they sit listening to Sinatra in the wee small hours, the chamber pop backing has no Sinatra style swing though.
Untouched is a conversation for someone he hasn't spoken too since 1994, reflections on what's gone down since, all the different wives and relationships that have lined his face, this has a sophisticated pop gloss, while the lyrical content might surprise, at just how rock & Roll his life sounds, before the brass section comes in to help keep things tasteful.
The Girl Who Ran Away is reflections on what you may have said or done, to make that girl you were certain was the one, to run away from you, careful acoustic guitar adornments, signal that she might have wanted a livelier life than the one he was offering her.
Severed Hearts is sung by Emilie who queries why you ever thought the fling was going to last more than a week, the barely their guitar backing has an ethereal quality, for this ephemeral union, severed so soon after they were trying to be as one.
Looking Back At The World is reflective of what you did with your life, hoping you'll be able to look back in joy at everything you have done and been involved in, sometimes embarrassed at what you got up to, this is a great slice of upbeat jangle pop.
Comments In The Streams is a modern elegy to reconnecting online to the loves of your youth, can you reveal the truth of why you or they left, regrets for lives lived apart instead of in unison, what will happen if you meet in real life, is the spark still as intense, would you dive into an affair ignoring your current partners.
The Ashes is a cricket obsessed song, Emilie leads us on a magical wander through hazy summer recollections and delightfully playful piano, how memories of the cricket and life intertwine so beautifully.
I Can't Have You As A Friend is very Nick Drake musically, even if lyrically it is far too bold a reflection of why you can't be friends, all that happened and what sparks the fire between you, that endangers everything you currently have, are you willing to set fire to your life to be friends.
The Reason Why You Lie is close slow reflective song of hiding betrayal from your closest lover, can you really want to hear everything that happened while you were elsewhere, will those hard truths really split you asunder, well maybe.
The album closes with Don't Bring It Home a cheaters charter of sorts, Emilie sits in the centre of the chamber Pop loveliness, imploring you not to bring home any anger and bitterness, or resentment you may feel, for what happens out in the big bad world. Confessions are welcome as long as you can be civil about it and speak in the hushed whisper they play in, right up to the trumpet led coda.
Find out more at https://thegentlespring.bandcamp.com/album/looking-back-at-the-world https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092832619787
