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DVDfever.co.uk – To Arms Etc: Corner Games CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Bronzerat Records
- Released: Out now
- Rating: 6/10
Whizzing between Melbourne and London doesnt seem to faze Charles Campbell-Jones.
This Aussies musical heart seems to be on another continent though North America.The Beach Boys harmonic and melodic templates feature heavily across the whole album, though theres no attempt to go for all-out universal pop tunes.
There are some very grand moments on offer, though he never borders on the type of theatricality synonymous with Rufus Wainwright or The Sleepy Jackson.Corner Games opens-up with the gorgeous piano led Berries.
The piano tinkling is followed by explosive heavenly backups with Jones doing some emotionless and understated singing much like Wainwright, though not intended Im sure.Following this, is groovy and chunky, sort of pop song Isinbayeva where the band really starts to swing, with great use of backups once again and wiry guitar licks.
To Arms etc. as a band, finally take flight on the whopping Kids In The Sticks, a pulsating rocker full of edgy wailing guitar solos, which seems at odds with the mellowness of the previous tracks, though it shows theyre not too easily pigeonholed.All Showed Up is a glorious and gorgeous ballad, making it one of the most sublime and memorable songs on the collection. This is where the Beach Boys influences actually surface honeyed vocals, sunny music.
M.B.F.F. promises much, but ultimately, as hard as it tries seems to go nowhere, just plodding along aimlessly with Hammond organ splashes, but its Jones lacklustre singing that drags the song down.Sparkling piano in the Ben Folds mould carries the super-perky Super-Radiance, though it has more of a jam-happy feeling than a well constructed instrumental, making it sound a bit chaotic.
Beatles influences are all over the pop-rock gem Little Domino, especially the close harmonies and a Harrisonesque guitar solo from say Abbey Road.Drawing Near is the standout track. This is probably the least pop influenced track showing To Arms etc at their best, though theres a prog-rock feel of 1975 Genesis from the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway period, and Ol Streak has shades of early 70s Steely Dan.
The verdict: Very good, but havent found their true identity, yet.
Weblink:myspace.com/toarmsetc.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Berries
2. Isinbayeva
3. Kids In The Sticks
4. All Showed Up
5. M.B.F.F.
6. Super-radiance
7. Most Mathematicians
8. Little Domino
9. It Didnt Hurt
10. Drawing Near
11. Ol Streak
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.