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Review |
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The Holloways were formed in 2004 in North London, and quickly gained a
large fan base off the back of some legendary live shows. After some support
from reputable radio and television stations, notably from Radio 1’s
Zane Lowe and NME the band were singed to TVT Records, and are currently
on tour with Babyshambles.
First song ‘Great Britain’ is an account of the current state
of our great nation, with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about brand Beckham,
George Best, casual sex and our relationship with the USA. This track
contains quite possibly the best opening line of an album in musical history.
Working with Madness and Dexy’s Midnight Runners producers Langer
& Winstanley, it is easy to spot the influence L &W had in the
making of this album.
‘Genorator’ is an upbeat, cheeky Ska-inspired song that is
catchier than the flu. Next, things get slightly more sentimental in ‘Dancefloor’
with lyrics about being rejected by a girl on a night out and walking
home alone.
‘Two Left feet’, the band’s first single and the stand
out track on the album is a glorious sing-along with blasts of harmonica
and strings, and tight harmonising between vocalists Alfie Jackson and
Rob Skipper, this song has been packing Indie dance floors up and down
the country and it is easy to see why as it isn’t too dissimilar
to Dexy’s ‘Come on Eileen’.
The next sentimental moment comes in the form of ‘Most Lonely Face’,
with heartbreaking harmonies and lyrics of homelessness and prostitution,
even with such dark lyrics and a depressing theme, The Holloways remain
charming delivers of a story.
Things pick up on ‘Happiness and Penniless’, a tale of being
broke, struggling with debts and living for the weekends, but getting
by with friendship and happiness.
‘Fuck Ups’ ends the album, with Alfie singing about down
and outs ruining his evening out, by approaching him with depressing stories,
lyrics that I’m sure many can relate to.
This album is a sharp observation of modern Britain; The Holloways definitely
have their finger on the pulse of current affairs and know how to transfer
their opinions into song. Whether it be politics or culture, love or tragedy,
all bases are covered, no stone left unturned. All of these subjects are
backed up with catchy tunes and hooky guitars that will be sang by Indie
types all over the UK.
Alfie’s heavy and sometimes dark lyrics are constantly contradicted
by the positive delivery, at first listen this album could be dismissed
as another Brit-pop collection, however the edgy lyrics give a different
spin on things and the passionate vocals, energetic drums and kooky fiddles
and harmonicas contribute to an all round eclectic, yet fully accessible
album, in the same vein as The Pogues or Madness. It is almost as if The
Holloways have taken the best bits of The Libertines (the chemistry between
vocalists, the observation of youth culture and the brilliantly shambolic
delivery) and concentrated it down into thirteen vibrant, fresh tracks,
each with something different to love about them.
Let’s just hope the second album isn’t a drug-fuelled ramble
that disappears up its own arse.
4/5
Review by Jack |
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| Band
Members |
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Alfie Jackson (Guitar, Vocals,
Harmonica)
Rob Skipper (Guitar, Vocals, Fiddle)
Bryn Fowler (Bass, Additional Vocals)
Dave Danger (Drums, Percussion) |
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| Track
Listing |
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| Band
Related Links |
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| Review
Score Code |
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- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
-
What Was That? |
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