Little Hands of Asphalt - Half Empty
by Dave Goodwin
published: 27 / 5 / 2020
Label:
Fika Recordings
Format: LP
intro
Classic pop on third album and first in almost a decade from the Little Hands of Asphalt, the project of Sjur Lyseid who is a Norwegian-based singer-songwriter and musician
The Little Hands of Asphalt's name is a play on words on 'The Little Hands of Concrete', Elvis Costello’s liner note credits on 'Kings of America'. 'Half Empty'is their new album, their first output in almost a decade. Initially the album was released as five two-track singles and has now been followed by a full vinyl release by record company Fika Recordings. The Little Hands of Asphalt is the solo project of Sjur Lyseid, a Norwegian musician that released two records and a couple of EPs under the same moniker back in 2009-2012. Strangely the band's name has stuck as the project has evolved, despite it once being mistaken for a road building crew on Lyseid's arrival at a Norwegian festival. Their last album, 'Floors', released in 2012, received critical acclaim, and was voted the sixth best record of the year in the Norwegian national newspaper 'VG'. Despite a long absence of output from the band they pick up where they left off with hints of indie and Americana, but principally traditional, ageless pop, sometimes drifting into man with guitar. Notwithstanding citing Elliot Smith, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Bright Eyes as influences, this outing, as Lydeid informs us, is best described as 60's crooning (Scott Walker, Sinatra), European art pop (Serge Gainsbourg, Can), modern Nashville country and 90's (Swedish) power pop. This is not just a one man effort though. There are helpings and numerous guest appearances throughout the record, including Allo Darlin’s Elizabeth Morris on 'No Reception and members of Jaga Jazzist, Sunturns, Moddi, Making Marks and Apothek who also all contribute throughout the LP. The front cover has a picture of the man himself in anoraked hoodie standing in a launderette. And why not? This overall is a fine offering that should get the project a little more attention with this UK release than its predecessors.
Track Listing:-
1 Begin Again2 Foreverest
3 No Reception
4 Drinking Song
5 Random Quotes From F.
6 Writing About Music
7 Dystopian Sci-fi
8 Six Feet Over
9 Accidents & Time
10 The Buildings, Then the Trees
Label Links:-
http://fikarecordings.com/https://www.facebook.com/fikarecordings
https://twitter.com/fikarecordings
http://www.last.fm/label/Fika+Recordings
https://www.youtube.com/user/fikarecordings
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
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
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