Blake - Louder Than Sound

 

I've been meaning to get around to this for a while and all the melee around IDHAS means I am full of regret that it has taken this long. Blake is one of those great English Singer Songwriters that doesn't get nearly enough credit for both his variety and ability to write the most captivating songs.

His arrangements are becoming legendary, just listen to Disguises and tell me that you are not moved by that delicate fragile melancholic instrumental track, emboldened, not by a Guitar, but by a wonderful Sax solo. Then contrast that to the following track, Coning In From The Cold as a comparison.

That song is just as well put together, yet it is jaunty 70s Pop Rock. That comparison tells you all you need to know about Blake. She's In My Heart contrasts with both as a cracking slab of 60s UK Beat with a gentle Psych Pop riff. We are only a quarter of the way in and I'm already delighted. 

Business Hours is great Rock and Roll whilst Strawberry Way is more Folk Pop. Slippery Slope is lyrically modern day, but sounds more like a 60s Troubadour offering. The centrepiece is the magnificent Sharks, a real let's do the song right here.

Being a little late with this review, I had the rare opportunity to read the reviews around. Power Pop is mentioned a lot, which as someone who started in that area, I don't really hear that. The exception is the splendid Everything About Her which is definitely so.

I hear more influences from the great artists over here. The Kinks, Stealers Wheel and even Canterbury Folk. Louder Than Sound is an awesome mix of the slow and the fast, both equally excellent. The Acoustic vibes ache and for the pacier songs, you lose control of your feet. A master at work!

You can listen to and buy the album here. The album is available on CD or as a download.

..............

Blake - The Book On Love

 

Blake is the solo project of Julian Pugsley and The Book On Love takes his appeal even further. Possessor of a vocal that is very close to Al Stewart, particularly on a song like Until Tomorrow, where the likeness is uncanny. 

That has led to Folk Pop Rock comparisons in the past which, while partially accurate, haven't acknowledged the true scope of his talent. His material is a mix of the Retro and the poppiest of the poppy of the Indy 80s, particularly the best of the Glasgow scene.

This album demonstrates that scope more so than ever. Blue Star and Walking Away demonstrate Blake's excellence with something Folk tinged, but this is a small part of what he does and thus contained here. The latter even breaks out into an ace Psych Pop Guitar Solo.

The real key point to note is how wonderful the arrangements are. They take on unusual directions with unexpected interruptions evoking memories of the past, but also offer a unique take that so many lack. This is the real strength of the album, enhancing great songs to an even greater level. 

When the album lets loose, it excels even more. Lost Ground is a superb example. It is almost Anton Barbeau and is prime time Pop Rock. Happy is even a little Lloyd Cole, although far more chipper. Penelope Please is great Jangle Pop and The Circle has a fine Twang as well as probably the best arrangement and instrumentation on show. 

My own regret is that I took three months getting round to reviewing this. There seems to have been a lack of great song writing lately. Concentrating too much on the lyrics maybe at the expense of the song? The Book Of Love is ace and another Subjangle Triumph. 

You can listen to and buy the album here.

.........................