Post by Tim on Feb 1, 2015 15:24:11 GMT
Album Choice: February 2015
The Barr Brothers - 'Sleeping Operator' (2014)
This is the second album from a 4 piece Canadian indie/alt.folk band from Montreal. The Barr Brothers are made up of four full time members, two of whom are brothers, Andrew and Brad Barr. The touring band has 5 members, adding a pedal steel and the real jewel in the crown musically, is the unusual addition of a harp.
The Band:
Brad Barr (guitar, vocals)
Andrew Barr (drums, percussion, vocals, keys)
Sarah Page (harp, vocals, percussion)
Andres Vial (keys, bass, vibes, percussion, vocals)
I think this is a stonkingly good album and I have played it here before and somebody liked it and commented. A little more gutsy and rootsy than their eponymous début album and much better for it I think. Currently making their stamp in the UK at the moment, having just finished a tour with airplay/sessions as gusts to Ricky Ross, Dermot O'Leary and Bob Harris, with tracks from this album also being featured on BBC6 Music. What I like about their music is not only the very strong song-writing, but also that they are not afraid to experiment, Sarah plays a harp which really adds a beautiful layer of sound, not often heard these days. The last harp I saw being played live was by Joanna Newsome and I headed home after about 30 minutes, as it just wasn't for me. Andrew Barr has a bicycle wheel set up with his drum kit like a cymbal and uses it to great effect and they vary their stage show with soft vocals sung 'A capella' around a single mike and all manner of differing bric a brac, to produce some very engaging music.
I was lucky enough to catch them live on Friday at a sold out gig in Winchester and I was mightily impressed and it takes a lot for a live band I have never seen before, to make me say that. Not only were they as tight as a duck's arse musically as a group, but their musicianship individually was also outstanding. Sarah's vocal and harp playing had me mesmerised and the crowd was one of liveliest I have experienced in Winchester for sometime, so it wasn't just me who was really connecting with them. One of the best live bands I have seen in awhile and ranking in the top five for the last 12 months and I have been to 56 gigs and 4 festivals in that time and seen 100's of bands, so I really rate them.
Anyway, give it a go, I know they won't be to everyone's taste, as a lot of my Americana/Country/folk tinged music seems a hard sell with audiophiles with a few years under their belt! But if it's a new band to one person and they like it, then a good job done I say
When you listen to this, don't be too quick to judge it as the music builds as you venture on - the first track is more of a gentle intro. It really grows on you too, as there's a lot going on here
Enjoy (hopefully) and I give this 9/10 but the more I play it the more I like it.
The Barr Brothers - 'Sleeping Operator' (2014)
This is the second album from a 4 piece Canadian indie/alt.folk band from Montreal. The Barr Brothers are made up of four full time members, two of whom are brothers, Andrew and Brad Barr. The touring band has 5 members, adding a pedal steel and the real jewel in the crown musically, is the unusual addition of a harp.
The Band:
Brad Barr (guitar, vocals)
Andrew Barr (drums, percussion, vocals, keys)
Sarah Page (harp, vocals, percussion)
Andres Vial (keys, bass, vibes, percussion, vocals)
I think this is a stonkingly good album and I have played it here before and somebody liked it and commented. A little more gutsy and rootsy than their eponymous début album and much better for it I think. Currently making their stamp in the UK at the moment, having just finished a tour with airplay/sessions as gusts to Ricky Ross, Dermot O'Leary and Bob Harris, with tracks from this album also being featured on BBC6 Music. What I like about their music is not only the very strong song-writing, but also that they are not afraid to experiment, Sarah plays a harp which really adds a beautiful layer of sound, not often heard these days. The last harp I saw being played live was by Joanna Newsome and I headed home after about 30 minutes, as it just wasn't for me. Andrew Barr has a bicycle wheel set up with his drum kit like a cymbal and uses it to great effect and they vary their stage show with soft vocals sung 'A capella' around a single mike and all manner of differing bric a brac, to produce some very engaging music.
I was lucky enough to catch them live on Friday at a sold out gig in Winchester and I was mightily impressed and it takes a lot for a live band I have never seen before, to make me say that. Not only were they as tight as a duck's arse musically as a group, but their musicianship individually was also outstanding. Sarah's vocal and harp playing had me mesmerised and the crowd was one of liveliest I have experienced in Winchester for sometime, so it wasn't just me who was really connecting with them. One of the best live bands I have seen in awhile and ranking in the top five for the last 12 months and I have been to 56 gigs and 4 festivals in that time and seen 100's of bands, so I really rate them.
Anyway, give it a go, I know they won't be to everyone's taste, as a lot of my Americana/Country/folk tinged music seems a hard sell with audiophiles with a few years under their belt! But if it's a new band to one person and they like it, then a good job done I say
When you listen to this, don't be too quick to judge it as the music builds as you venture on - the first track is more of a gentle intro. It really grows on you too, as there's a lot going on here
Enjoy (hopefully) and I give this 9/10 but the more I play it the more I like it.
