So here's how it goes. I woke up this morning (I'm doing early Fleetwood Mac so all narratives currently start this way) and I had a new follower on Twitter. Now I don't go in much for the little blue bird of peace, I can't really see the point, but I do ping out a new blog post with #bandname every time one is completed. The name was @LUXLISBONmusics. Fine thinks I, I occasionally pick up followers, but this one had almost certainly read a blog post so I followed back. Then I get a message back from lead vocalist Stu saying thanks for following, here's a link to a free EP. Ooo-er. Maybe it's some scam to put some nasty virus on my PC and steal all my bank details. A bit of internet research puts the old mind at rest, but the link doesn't work for me. To Spotify I go, and there's a whole album. 'Your Heart is a Weapon The Size of Your Fist'. I give it a go, natch, and Hey! its really quite good. Now I'm in a quandary, I could do a blog post, but the artist might actually read it. You know my style by now. If I can compare a musical act to someone else, often disparagingly, then I'll do it, no questions asked. But what if I compare them to say, Cradle of Filth, and they take umbrage (can't imagine why they would but some people are funny like that)? I'm a nice guy, I don't want to slag someone off, especially when they've already demonstrated far more talent than me by simply being able to play an instrument or sing. They're good though, so I can be positive about it and they might forgive a few lazy cliches.
My mind is made up, hence the preceding preamble.
YOUR HEART IS A WEAPON THE SIZE OF YOUR FIST
So if I was making a tired old comparison with other bands, my first thought is James. You know, the very full production, tenor vocals and lots of crashing guitars and keyboards. I also thought of Then Jericho, remember them, and possibly Snow Patrol? The band use both male and female lead vocals, which even in this day and age still seems quite unusual. It's rare enough for lead vocal duties to be shared by single gender bands but when the group has male and female members the ladies are almost always relegated to backing duties. The aforementioned Fleetwood Mac are a notable exception I guess (although not the blues albums I'm currently listening to). The biog on their
website tells me that the vocals are shared between Stu and Charlotte. Both can, I am glad to report, sing - always a bonus. Can't put my finger on who Charlotte reminds me of - maybe a touch of Tracy Thorn? There is one track called 'Maginot Line' which for a moment I hoped might be a cover of the George Formby song ('Here I am on the Maginot Line, Everything's fine on the Maginot Line, Things have turned out nice again.... - I'm not making this up, check it out) but alas no, it's an original composition, a heartfelt ballad.
This has been a pleasant little voyage of discovery. Billy Bragg and Tom Robinson like 'em so that's good enough for me too. Give them a try.
PS If the band do read this, don't get your hopes up, this blog doesn't have a lot of 'traction'
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