Pocketbooks - Carousel
by Dixie Ernill
published: 9 / 12 / 2011
Label:
Oddbox Records
Format: CD
intro
Excellent indie pop on second album from thoughtful London-based group, Pocketbooks
London’s Pocketbooks’ second album is everything you’d expect from a band that are involved in the organization of the excellent Indietracks festival –i.e. indie-pop of the highest order. Lead vocal duties are shared throughout by the band’s songwriter Andy Hudson and keyboard player Emma Hall, with Andy’s vocal delivery on opening track 'Fireworks at Midnight' very reminiscent of Spearmint’s Shirley Lee. 'Promises, Promises', however, could sit comfortably on the forthcoming second album by Allo Darlin’, with Emma’s vocal style being close to that of Elizabeth Morris. The album as a whole is laced with fine orchestration ranging from the strings on the aforementioned 'Promises, Promises' to the lovely piano led 'The Sky at Night' and 'Harbour Lights'. Other uptempo highlights include 'Sound of the Carnival' with Emma again on lead vocals and 'Five Day Forecast', while slower songs 'Sparklers'and 'Gaumont State Cinema' are also worthy of ear time. 'The Flowers are Still Standing' is 'Fireworks at Midnight' from a female perspective and shows the band have put a fair amount of thought into the album as a whole rather than just throwing a bunch of songs together. Definitely recommended, 'Carousel' could be elevated to ‘bloody essential’ if in their capacity as Indietracks organizers the band could persuade Davey Woodward to reform the Brilliant Corners to headline next summer’s event!
Track Listing:-
1 Fireworks At Midnight2 Promises, Promises
3 The Sky At Night
4 Sound of the Carnival
5 Sparklers
6 Gaumont State Cinema
7 Harbour Lights
8 The Flowers Are Still Standing
9 The Beaujolais Lanes
10 Five Day Forecast
11 The End of the Pier
Band Links:-
http://www.pocketbooks.org.uk/https://www.facebook.com/Pocketbooks-6659789638/
https://twitter.com/pocketbooks
http://pocketbooks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/andypocketbooks#p/f/0/XZcI1lVFjrI
http://www.songkick.com/artists/627376-pocketbooks
Label Links:-
http://oddboxrecords.com/https://twitter.com/oddboxrecords
https://www.facebook.com/oddboxrecords
http://oddboxrecords.bandcamp.com/
soundcloud
reviews |
Flight Paths (2009) |
Classic-sounding, if somewhat formulaic indiepop on debut album from London-based five-piece band, Pocketbooks |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Secret Shine - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadInutili - A Love Supreme
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart