A strikingly beautiful new LP by the Kendal singer-songwriter aka Tom Fleming, formerly of Wild Beasts, whose tender, high voice soars and also brings hushed tones across a gorgeous set of autumnal-feel songs, accompanied by inventive sounds on various acoustic instruments. The album explores roots of traditional folk, classical and noise rock, and was recorded in Dublin with John ‘Spud’ Murphy as well featuring long-term collaborator Josh Taylor-Moon, who arranged, engineered and played on the record, as well as featuring Lankum’s Cormac MacDiamarda and Percolator’s Eleanor Mylor. Opener As Fast As I Can Go has a fantastic momentum, the percussive rhythms partly produced by the high strings above the instrument neck. Endless Rain is more traditional singer-songwriter guitar material, but like the rest of the album is imbued with passion and tenderness: “I will be by your side.” Other highlights include A Landlord’s Death, a searing dance-on-grave song about the greedy and villainous scourge types of tenants featuring a wonderful arpeggio from MacDiamarda on the fiddle and rising to sonically wild and adventurous climax. “Parasites the fucking lot. No tears shed for the guilty. We’re coming,” sings Tom. Others include the toe-tapping folk-guitar Human Frailty, the lovely finger-picking Frozen Food Centre, Be Strong, and Mid-Life Crisis – about the fast passing of time, who it is perceived. These and much more are testament to Fleming’s great talent for sensitive, stirring, passionate sounds, reflective and powerful. Out on Domino Records.
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