After a two and half gap from their debut album The Mountain Moves, the London five-piece after a far from easy interlude as collectively they have seen marriage breakups, passing of parents, near death of a close friend and departure of bassist, Matthew Starritt. While the band have taken a little time to readjust and revalue life a greater bond has surfaced through their music, and in the words of vocalist, guitarist Reid Morrison ‘to make this record was very therapeutic for us, in a sense. It brought us closer….’ And with the record heaped in strong 1970s-like west coast melodies and vocal harmonies plus other traits a strong, well-rounded sound has emerged.
Record at Soup Studios in London, Morrison (vocals, guitars, keys), Tomer Danan (drums, vocals, percussion), Laurie Sherman (guitars, keys), Sam Beer (guitars, vocals, keys), Ned Crowther (bass, vocals) plus guest, Aaron Griffiths who plays on “Wild Nights” the base in concrete, the songs, dealing with aspects of life from the band well-written, and with Morrison a terrific vocalist Tree Top Flyers look well set to increasingly grow as a unit, and such outstanding tracks as in restless affair as the songs deals with brothers not getting on “It’s A Shame” backed by sensitive, stripped bare cut “St. Andrews’s Cross” and classy groove carved “Falling Back” as hints of soul eloquently push through there is no shortage of quality.
Cranking it up you have little rock’n’roller “31 Years”, shut your eyes if you will and imagine John Fogerty letting rip on this songs. Boy, you then would have a song. Not that Morrison and the boys don’t do a good job only I would have loved him to go for the juggler on it! Pushed his vocals a little more. “Never Been So Hard” touches a nerve of a few members as it looks at life, and need to take all things into perspective. As for final track, “Wild Winds” its infectious chorus, and busier instrumental side during which make the song for me. Nice work.
Maurice Hope