The British comic actor, known now for 20 years, from Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place to Toast of London to What We Do In The Shadows, returns with his other great indulgent passion, as eccentric multi-instrumentalist and singer of 60s and 70s-inspired psychedelic rock and pop on this impressive 11th studio album. The title itself is theatrical, possibly echoing that of the clever 1982 comedy farce, containing a sex-comedy play within a play, by the English playwright Michael Frayn. Berry too has never been afraid of flamboyant playfulness. Now 50, as an actor, Berry seems to have been middle-aged since his 20s, with an ironic, throwback to the likes of Peter Wyngarde, but with his wide-ranging musical talents, he’s another persona, perhaps in part the real Berry, often with lyrical melancholy, flamboyant romance certainly, but married to insecure tenderness, but certainly in his element in the prism of song, where he plays most of the instruments aside from drums. Highlights here include the beautiful piano and guitar build and explosive whoops and powerful chorus of opener Why On Fire?, the 60s syncopation of Silver Rings, and also reminiscent of that era, a fabulous duet with Kitty Liv on I Gotta Limit, a song that’s part Northern Soul, part psych, and crammed with musical ideas, including some inspiration from Sly Stone. Berry goes full slow ambient synth psych on Be Alarmed, and there’s some mystical eastern and sci-fi stylings on I Entered As I Came, featuring the beguiling spoken voice of Pokerface’s Natasha Lyonne. There Are Monsters is fun, noodly prog-jazz-funk, and closer Sky High is a grandiose love song. It is pastiche, silly or serious? It’s all three, and more, and wonderfully indulgent entertainment – one of his best records since 2011’s Witchazel or 2013’s Kill The Wolf. National treasure, anyone? Out on Acid Jazz Records.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Whether it’s about this or others, feel free to recommend more new albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running.