31 January 2012
FWD Music‘The Pines' is the second studio album from Bristol based Americana/country group Phantom Limb. The authenticity of this album as an American record is extreme, and it was written and recorded in California with production from esteemed guitarist Marc Ford. Although a slightly experimental direction for this group, the sound they have achieved on this LP can only be congratulated.
The album begins with title track ‘The Pines' emerging slowly with deliberate restraint; Yolanda Quartey's beautifully strong vocals are the sticking point of this song and contrast with an incredibly varied texture. Phantom Limb's characteristically full chord arrangements are balanced by sparse interludes of acoustic guitar.
We are then launched into the sombre world Phantom Limb have been residing in during the makings of this album. Solemn lyrical choices like "The world's tumbling down and I don't know when the deepest low is...." weave their way through the melancholy of ‘Tumbling Down', with its tinkling chorded piano and effortlessly mournful instrumental solos. ‘Give Me A Reason' seems slightly overdone to my English ears, somewhat too heavy instrumentally but it does make excellent use of slide guitar.
The arrangement of ‘I'll Have Mercy' is exquisite, and is supported by excellent song writing. The concept of mercy is a simple one, but has a great depth of emotion when described through the soulful textures of this track. A few songs on and ‘Laughing Like You're Mad' ‘s eerie feel provides great contrast to the rest of the album, where sparse off-key backing creates a haunting track with a timeless feel.
‘Gravy Train' starts with an uplifting organ melody (if that's possible?), and reflects on negative experiences with an emphasis on moving forward with your life. This track contains a powerful chorus, but like the rest of the album, is continually usurped emotionally by the artist's lovelorn lyrical negativity: "Happiness don't come easy, not even now". The fragility of ‘Hollow Eyes' is intensified by a delicate piano riff and emotional vocal performance, and contains a nice reference to ‘Withering Bones' from Phantom Limb's self-titled debut album.
The most distinctly ‘American' track is ‘Missy'. It is almost unfathomable that the Bristol-based band has managed to create such an authentic sound. A gospel-like chorus, dynamic chord-progressions, as well as well-placed guitar runs, inject an abundance of life into this song.
The album ends with ‘High And Dry', a track much more akin to Phantom Limb's first album; an understated ambience allows an emphasis on the beautiful tones of Yolanda's voice. I fully appreciate the band's need to experiment with their sound, and this album allows them to fully immerse themselves into the genres that inspire them, but I can't help but prefer their debut. This release lacks some of the depth of emotion, which was so brutally pure in their previous release. Having said that, both albums are worth purchasing, with their latest LP out on 13th February. They also have a string of UK shows lined up in the coming months and I have heard great things about their live performances. Make no mistake, this is a very powerful album, it just leaves me hoping that the band have emerged from the sorrow they've so excellently portrayed.
View FULL review HERE