Whelligan - In Pursuit Of Inchoate Visions Of Beauty

 

The final Review of the 31 in 31 is something very close to my heart and deliberately left until the last review. I last visited Whelligan for his previous 2022 album, In The Mean Meantime, a corking affair, you can read my review here. 

So four years on cometh the follow up and it is an absolutely charming offering of Indie Pop and Neo Psych, wonderfully pastoral. Produced by long time IDHAS favourite Nick Frater and there are similarities to Frater, but this is less Guitar Pop and more life affirming.

The use of Brass and Acoustics enhances a really thought provoking album. It may be gentle, Jamie Whelligan's vocals will always give you that, but the arrangements are absolutely stunning. The Melotron just melts my heart when it appears.

The theme is about Whelligan's growing up in 80s Birkenhead. It is an area that I am utterly familiar with, having worked on the Wirral for most of my life. I know the times well to as the town and Liverpool were in the midst of the Thatcher slump, all we really got was some nice gardens and managed decline.

It wasn't as mellow as this album though as anyone going through St. Johns Subway at night would testify. but there was a defining spirit, an ability to laugh at the degradation with a self reference. So to the album, which is a must for all.

It is pensive, beautiful, if I don't sound too soft using that word and just to show Whelligan isn't all about soundscapes, there is a jaw dropping piece of Scouse Guitar Pop in the closer. Game Over, which revives the Brass as a Revue band and even has a lullaby instrumental extract to end.

I really don't think you will hear a more affecting song than the gentle Psych of Bedroom Reminiscences, truly heartfelt and what an ace Guitar ending. My Friend 'The Messenger' gets all Jazz and Hero To Clown gets close to a mid 60s Studio Ballad, a little Gene Pitney with a Brass Band. 

There's even room for a couple of short instrumentals, the Canterbury-ish Box Of Roses and the Twanging Beau Jolly. The title may be long, but the album is all too short. I just want more and more. It whisks you into a different time and place, magnificently so.

You can listen to and buy the album here.  The CD is available here.

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