R.E. Seraphin - Fool's Mate

 

Ray Seraphin still lives in his lo-fi Indie world and for that we are incredibly thankful. You can read our reviews of Tiny Shapes and Swingshift here and here. So it is now time to write about his new album and it is suitably splendid.

When I say Lo-Fi, it can be a bit of a misnomer as Seraphin songs generally sound as though they have been devised in a big soundscape and then scaled down. Fool's Mate also finds him as part of a band and what a band it is. The album feels more Indie Rock orientated and definitely lyricaaly, it is a much darker affair.

Joel Cusumano of Sob Stories is guitarist, Daniel Pearce of Red, Pinks and Purples is Drummer, Josh Miller of Chime School plays some incredible Bass and Luje Robins is on keyboards. Add in that Owen Adair Kelley of Sleepy Sun guests on Acoustic and Slide Guitar and Jason Quever of Papercuts records and mixes at his studio and you have quite a cast.

I've compared Seraphin to The Feelies in the past and there is still a bit of that here, but the album feels more UK Indie 80s and IRS, largely due to the band format. Seraphin's gentle, almost whisper though holds all together and so ensures that the change is not dramatic.

The man can also be incredibly melodic. The Indie Pop of What We Don't Know is a touching affair about his relationship with his wife, Hannah Moriah, who accompanies him on vocals. Clock Without Hands is probably as jaunty as Seraphin gets, which isn't really that jaunty.

The album also flirts with Psych Pop, most notably on Contraband. There is even an unexpected Twang on the opener, End Of The Start. There's even a Lennon's Double Fantasy vibe to Argument Stand and Virtue Of Being Wrong is instrumentally incredibly addictive. Fool's Mate isn't an album that will get you belting out choruses, more sitting back in full admiration.

You can listen to and buy the album here. The album is also available on Vinyl.

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R.E. Seraphin - Swingshift

 

Ray Seraphin turned lockdown into Collaboration Heaven and the resulting Swingshift is a melodic joy. It has underlined his reputation as an Indie Hero with seven songs, five originals and two inspired covers. Classed as an EP, with seven songs it is pretty close to a Mini Album.

I don't ever want to be involved with the Is It Power Pop nonsense, but I see the release classed as such and I don't really see that at all. This is melodic Guitar Pop and its Jangling Best. Anyone who selects Television Personalities and Wipers to cover is certainly not thinking Power Pop.

Swingshift also doesn't sound San Franciscan  having more in common on with perhaps Martin newell than that scene. Seraphin's gentle vocal complements the songs wonderfully. Built around riffs that hook and melodic solos that surprise you it is a cracking chorus led listen.

Big Break is Jangle Pop of the highest order whilst Stuck In Reno is more gently laid back with a wonderful country twang to enjoy. The Virtue of Being Wrong is outstanding, part Byrds, part latter day Teenage Fanclub.

Playing House even gets Glammy and the cover of This Time There's No Happy Ending is Psych Pop of the very highest order. Swingshift does nothing but enhance Seraphin's reputation. You can see him heading for the Godfather of Bedroom Pop rapidly. The man shouldn't be classed as underground, he should be over ground wombling free.

You can listen to and buy Swingshift here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2020 : 71-80

It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a List person, I just think what's the point.

However, for the last few years I have compiled annual Best Of 's  because these posts seem so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists. There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.

I would also add that the Top 100 includes albums available as Download Only. To suggest that they are anything less than equal to a Physical release is grossly unfair, even more so in 2020 with all that has happened during the year. To qualify, an album has to be available for sale in any format.

For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to where you can find further details on how to listen or buy the album. 

No 71 : Creem Circus - The Glitterest, Sladest,. Rockin'Est.Laidest, Overtime-Paidest, Boogiest Band In Town     IDHAS Review

No 72 : R.E. Seraphin - Tiny Shapes        IDHAS Review









No73 : Martin Månsson Sjöstrand Trio - Universum Faller        IDHAS Review








No 74 : The Sunchymes - The Sands Of Time           IDHAS Review

No 75 : Green Seagull - Cloud Cover       IDHAS Review

No 76 : The Black Watch - Brilliant Failures      IDHAS Review







No 77 : The Loft Club - Dreaming The Impossible     Review

No 78 :  The Vapour Trails - Golden Sunshine     IDHAS Review







No 79 : The Amplifier Heads - Music For Abandoned Amusement Parks     IDHAS Review

 



No 80 : Painted Doll - How To Draw Fire     IDHAS Review

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R.E. Seraphin - Tiny Shapes

In those hazy days of Anything Should Happen, we used to worship The Feelies. Since then, they've been well off my radar, I suppose mainly because of a concentration on the new. However, I still can't think of a band as good at appearing ramshackle on the outside, whilst throwing out great messy pop hooks. Although most point to Crazy Rhythms as their best album, my favourite as always been 1986's The Good Earth.

Why do I mention The Feelies? Well that's because Tiny Shapes reminds me so much of the band and that particular album. Seraphin did a fine job in Talkies and this solo album sounds like a natural progression with far more emphasis on lo-fi Jangle.






The laid back vocal suits the material perfectly and the Talkies connection is still there as the trio consist of Owen Kelley and Phil Lantz from the band, but there is far more of a Paisley Pop hint. Indeed, the album feels very Guided By Voices.

Kicking off with the Jangling chirpiness of Today Will Be Kind which is all Glasgow C86 and a potential killer single. The album progresses in a much deeper direction, culminating in the killer riff on Hear Me Out.






There are plenty of hints of UK Glam Rock too, particularly on Bend and Exploding Hell is probably the best Feelies song that they never wrote. The stand out though is the magnificent Streetlight with its cocky verse, hypnotic riff and great closing solo.

Seraphin's vocal is somewhere between Marc Bolan and Lou Reed and this tempers what could be a more aggressive with a shoutier singer. Tiny Shapes is a cracker of an album. It feels ideally suited to the Paisley Shirt label. It is an absolute bargain for 3 dollars.






You can buy the cassette and the download and also listen to the album here.


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