Someone once said that creative writing is about the process of lying the truth. Proof that Jake Flowers has learnt this skill is shown by in his short, humorous musical vignettes of small town life, love and dreams.
Flowers is from Shropshire in the Midlands but sets his sights beyond rural England. His debut single for Concrete Recordings is about the realization that his future lies beyond this 'small world'.
The 3 song sampler contains the tracks Fireworks, Annabel and Anyhow. The first is about a “half-true” story of fireworks robbery . This serves as a metaphor for a life that needs more sparkle (sparklers!). Annabel is more bluesy in feel and is described as "a dark tale of temptation and guilt. The final tune is an imaginary love affair - "she held me for a short time and bells began to chime.....that's how I think it went anyhow"
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Flowers has so far made a good impression with performances at Glastonbury and the Green man festivals and it's easy to hear how the freshness and directness of his delivery is well suited to such settings. On record, though, he will need to expand his sound and range if he hopes to attract more listeners.
The line between simplicity and superficiality is a fine one which, on these songs, he just about manages not to cross but I wonder if his promised "vast repertoire" of songs has enough variety to ensure long term success.
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