SONGS THEY NEVER PLAY ON THE RADIO
2. Matt Deighton: Snow Bunker Classics, Vol 68
PART 1
MATT DEIGHTON'S Doubtless Dauntless LP has a great back story, but, as ever, for me to get inside a record, I have to work it into my own. My father also suffered a heart attack but died. Unfortunately, I was too immersed in music mythology to mourn his passing or even try to understand him, preferring instead to nick an Andrew Innes quote about the passing of River Phoenix and mumble stupidly 'lightweight' whenever I was asked about him.
A few breakdowns later, older than his death age, and, with a loving missus I am now able to disconnect from the pantheon of rock and recognize my true connection to both him and small northern mill-towns, which means I can listen to this album from a more honest place and with better perspective than when I listened to his earliest work.
His music always sounds earthy and timeless, with varying degrees of cosmic, depending on the supporting cast. His weakest album, the incredible The Common Good, had the largest supporting cast and this album's on a similar scale but fares better. Accomplished string arranger Ben Trigg works well with him and tempers the songs respectfully and a small ensemble all add some lovely, soulful flourishes. Yes, this album has buckets of soul.
As seems unique to his albums, the opener gets overlooked by me and it's the remaining tracks that shine brighter. I'm sure Gary Carpenter's nordic lyre evokes the wicker man vibes to please many ears. I'm more at home on Each Time You Find Out, a radio staple in a perfect world. A song of experience that restrains its knowing-ness perfectly. As with all his solo offerings, it's the fragility and warmth that captivates and May You Give it All Away is as fragile and warm as anything he's done. A truly beautiful song.
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| swirly green vinyl |
Lyrically, Need Never Be illustrates why he's out on his own. A lot of artists would shy away from bare sentiment, preferring instead to hide behind concept and metaphor. Uncannily, he's asking the questions I ask, and I suspect, we all ask. More importantly, he attempts to find answers. Lyrics in some earlier songs appear like afterthoughts, but here they pour out profoundly, actually spilling out of the inner sleeve, adding a certain gravitas. That's what makes him a seer, I guess.
Side one closer Rite is far more successful at evoking the wicker man vibes with its pastoral elegance. If a hip young band delivered this side of music, it would be instantly hailed a masterpiece and if they touched upon this level of lyrical philosophy, they'd be hailed as geniuses. A simple fact.
PART 2
IT'S THEN, when putting on side two, that you notice the cover. He could've opted for neo-folky artwork, but he's already done that in the nineties, so I'm sensing that it's about now laying things bare without any need for artifice. It soon becomes apparent just how upbeat the mood is on this side. Both Hymn After Hymn and Dreamstate are dizzying. Drenched in positive vibes, even.
The wholly unique Linda Lewis is a perfect vocal foil and you realize what a distinct voice he has still. Probably the most distinct English voice since Steve Marriott. How Do We Show our Love? again finds answers to universal questions with a perfect pop tempo. Such sensibility, I guess, is yet another musical gift, and it's what helps make his solo work so captivating. With just piano accompaniment, it's the most exposed he's sounded in years. The title track closes the album with him fully laid bare. A song wrote and performed by him alone. Emphasizing the importance of Trigg's contribution as it's the only track that evokes the lo-fi production of his last great effort Wake Up The Moths.
For the disciples, a long wait is over. It's a breathtakingly honest album, full of warmth that has been further intensified by the freezing weather outside. Dare I say, a force of nature in itself? I'm just very fortunate to be aware of this guy's music and even though it represents in part, the ghost of my own father I would still encourage anyone with an ear for timeless beauty, who hasn't already, to buy on sight.
