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DVDfever.co.uk – Turin Brakes: Outbursts CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Cooking Vinyl Records
- Released: March 2010
- Rating: 6/10
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
Wobble over, well almost.
Its been some five years or so since this reviewer last heard a Turin Brakes album, the excellent Jack In A Box.Since then, theyve had a bit of a wobble, but theyve almost rediscovered their mojo on Outbursts.
Each album has seen the duo of Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian evolve, but it seems for a brief period they went too far as they expanded into a kind of soft-rock band. Olly says: I think our fans found it frustrating when they could see that we were having to play some sort of game when we signed to a major label. Theyve now signed to Cooking Vinyl Records. Gale adds: We thought Lets go back and do this whole thing like we used to. Do it as a duo. Thats where the magic is.Now, having returned to their roots, and an attempt to rekindle their original ethos, which formed part of the then New Acoustic Movement, theyve stripped things back in places.
In most part, TB have indulged themselves in some quality songwriting with Sea Change, the new single which was released on 22nd Feb, a prime example with strident acoustic strumming and lashing of strings, though to what degree itll re-engage those frustrated fans is open to question. There are a few blots on the landscape though, like the limp Mirror, Invitation and the overly-cluttered Apocolips.
Thankfully stirring Rocket Song restores the balance aided by sweeping string arrangements that whip up a masterful crescendo, and great production values that bring this acoustic-based ballad to life.Paper Heart is quite beautiful, as they dip once more into their heritage of weaving strings and honeyed vocals without deeming it easy listening. The same trick is applied to Will Power, with equal success.
The Midas touch returns on the stripped back acoustic-lead Embryos as it jollies along to minimalist bass-lines and guitar picks, which is their forte. Similarly, Never Stops hits the button as they rediscover their original musical soul, while the waltzy The Letting Down could become an end-of-the- night classic, drenched in swooning Olly vocals and pedal steel, making it the albums highlight.
Radio Silence is more filler than thriller about it, but they leave us with the divine love ballad Outbursts, which defines theyre much anticipated return.
The verdict Slow burner.
Weblinks:turinbreaks.com / cookingvinyl.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Sea Change
2. Mirror
3. Rocket Song
4. Paper Heart
5. The Invitation
6. Will Power
7. Apocalips
8. Embryos
9. Never Stops
10. The Letting Down
11. Radio Silence
12. OutburstsView the discussion thread.blog comments powered by Disqus= 0) {query += ‘url’ + i + ‘=’ + encodeURIComponent(links[i].href) + ‘&’;}}document.write(”);})();//]]]]>]]>
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.