Everyone likes a good story don't they? Little yarns told in an entertaining fashion – a good raconteur is a popular person. Likewise, some of the best songs are those that tell a tale. Stereophonics were amazing when they wrote witty vignettes about small-town tales. Johnny Cash thrilled people That was a long time ago. Songs don't have to speak to your heart all of the time – sometimes they can merely entertain.
Manchester's THE BLACK VELVET BAND are here to do just that. 'Found Drowned' is a collection of dark, hate-filled stories with macabre characters and grisly endings. This isn't a self-indulgent album of personal torture, these songs owe a debt equally to the likes of Nick Cave and Charles Bukowski. They play relentlessly around Manchester and have a live show that is malleable enough to accommodate four members, or the full eleven-piece. This is their self-produced debut album, and has a lot to live up to in light of their mesmerizing, energetic live shows.
“Shards of glass, and blood on my shoe,
I just killed someone I biblically knew.”
(Shards of Glass)
Bad things happen in the world The Black Velvet Band. Album opener 'The Tell-tale Hound' documents a man murdering a dog who is preventing him from indulging in the woman he craves. The dog comes back to life and sets out for a chilling revenge. The chorus is the sound of a dog panting. 'Matilda and Claude' is a charming tale of a six year girl slaying her cat. 'Shards of Glass' is one of those man meets woman, man and woman fall in love with woman, man kills woman scenarios. As you can tell, these ideas won't be getting picked up by Disney in the near future.
“I tapped on the window, she let me in
'bout time I started living in sin.”
(The Tell-tale Hound)
The first thing to hit you about 'Found Drowned' has to be the vocals. Front-man John Louis has a ferocious growl those owes a debt to the likes of Tom Waits and Nick Cave, but there's more to it than that. Female lead Ali is his band-wife, and the polar opposite vocally. Her powerful but sweet tones could cause you to believe that she is the innocent in these songs, The male-female interplay runs throughout the album and is used to maximum effect. The stories portrayed have much more depth by showing both sides of the tale. Think 'The Mariners Tale' by The Decemberists, but in the bitter style of rockabilly country-blues.
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“Matilda killed her kitten Claude when she was nearly six
She pinned all four of his playful paws, to a tiny crucifix.”
(Matilda and Claude)
There's plenty of room for experimentation as they aren't a band that travel light. Harmonicas, trumpets, banjos and spoons are among the literally billions of instruments that are used. To go into the merits of all the elements that make up this collective would take this well beyond review length – but the ideas are often huge, well-choreographed and experimental. The tunes are catchy, but the ideas going on behind them are very complex. The songs are musically diverse whilst being held together by the vocal interplay. That is theme of the album – the unhappy couple.
“I took an oath in your damp undergrowth
You said “You looking for love?”
I said “I think it's close.” (Your Love)
The lyrics need mentioning over and over again. They're fucking inspired. If you're going to tell a tale, tell it with wit and tell it with style. As a writer, this album really hits the spot, merely by saying things that haven't been said before. Funny and grim at the same time – it's something I personally aim for in my fiction, but I know I don't do it this well. This is an album that deserves a bigger audience than it may receive. It's original, it's intelligent and reminds you what gems hide away behind the mainstream. It improves with every listen. Were they given full production, it's hard to say what this would be – but as it stands it really is an exceptional release. There are so many more things to point out, but perhaps you should find these out for yourself.
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