The world of music is teeming with artists who have morphed from one state to another. Some manage to get it spot on and others less so. Fortunately for us, Dave Thornley’s self-titled record gets the transition just right.
Pictures of golden fields, open skies and broken porches come to mind up when listening to ‘Lend Me Your Ears’. Nothing beats a great opener, especially one that evokes the setting sun and a world stood still.
Second track ‘Ilfracombe’ takes us on a steady journey through the Devonshire coast and drops of off in a small town littered with nostalgia, positivity and good vibes.
‘Crocus’ has a different sound altogether. This song places your mind in an abandoned house, a home filled with black and white photographs and empty shelves. Optimism peaks when the bass kicks in. It adds a layer of warmth to the otherwise ghostly piano spirit. Thornley, as well as bassist Mark Wainwright and percussionist Frank Barnes, have this incredible ability to truly paint beautiful scenes using strings and batons instead of pencils and brushes.
‘The Last Oarsman’ takes us to the country, with its swooping bass lines and spritely keys. The pace builds thanks to the percussion. The drums bounce and rattle as the beat moves behind Thornley’s descriptive narrative.
‘Back to Berlin’ gets conjures up espionage, with its Bond like organ, mandible piano and soft hi-hats. ‘Took your picture in Montmartre’ spits Thornley, delivered in his sharp staccato pattern. What is unique is just well this works with the silky reconnaissance like texture in the background.
‘Wakes Week’ takes us back to the train station only to be prepped for a grand adventure. A quest filled with curiosity and an innate desire for exploration. This track is perhaps the ‘funkiest’ track on this album. The tom-tom heavy rhythm coupled with funky bass line coincides with the carriage like bounce of the story.
This is a powerful this record, especially in a time of lockdown. I was truly engrossed in the narrative. The album could appeal to fans of Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and possibly even Low era David Bowie.
Words: Lewis Elliot McWilliam, Image: Band Media
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