Richard James Simpson - Sweet Birds of Youth
by Steve Kinrade
published: 10 / 5 / 2018
Label:
Richard James Simpson
Format: CD
intro
Promising but sometimes unfocused alternative rock on debut album from American musician Richard James Simpson
This is the debut solo album from Richard James Simpson, who has previous musical projects have been Teardrain (along side Jill Emery of Hole and Mazzy Star), and Invisible Chains, and boasts contributions from the likes of Joey Burns (Calexico) and Theo Welch (Barry White). Co-produced by Dustin Boyer, this set of compositions deals with the usual palette of lifetime experiences that encompass the usual emotions - happiness, despair and mistakes we have, and are due to make. After an initial brief entry point - 'Birds', the album explodes into life with 'Bulls', and we are into the loud/soft territory so masterfully explored by the likes of the Pixies. The guitars have a nice angular, even serrated edge to them, which continues nicely with the next track 'Taking Sides'. For these ears things, however, get that little more interesting with tracks like 'Moonbeam Arms'which has a lovely late 1980's feel to it a la Cranes. Indeed, it's when the Simpson/Boyer production team take artistic chances that the full potential of the songs are realised, for example 'You' with its lovely use of cello; 'Sorrow' with its paired back percussive arrangement and “Sometimes”. Rich ensemble vocals are also a nice addition to the sonic landscape. At first glance, the track listing may look daunting - 18 tracks - but a sizeable minority of these are what could be best described as SIB - Sonically Interesting Bridges - ambient tracks which serve as interludes, sometimes recurring, that aid the smooth flow of the musical story that Simpson is aiming to tell. 'Sweet Birds of Youth' is an interesting and commendable debut album, which hints at much rich promise to come. However, it may have been beneficial if this album had been more condensed and, dare I say it, a little more focused. Less sometimes is more. But one things for sure -Richard James Simpson is an artist to watch.
Track Listing:-
1 Birds2 Bulls
3 Taking Sides
4 Moonbeams Arms
5 I Love You
6 Roller
7 Roll 3
8 You
9 Moon 1
10 Never Is Forever
11 10
12 Sorrow
13 Bloodsick
14 I Can, But I Can't
15 Roll 4
16 Sometimes
17 Spirit Plus
18 10 Estrellas
Band Links:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/RichardJamesSimpsonBand/soundcloud
reviews |
Deep Dream (2019) |
Deep Dream (2019) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Banter - Heroes
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
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