This Month, I've Mostly Been Listening To...

Ed Harcourt- Back Into The Woods             /        Giant Drag- Waking Up Is Hard To Do

Back Into The Woods

Released mere weeks after its existence was announced, Ed Harcourt's sixth studio album is the product of one day's work at Abbey Road studios. Recorded in its running order and using the first or second take each time, it's a testament to Ed's ability to draw the listener in- the minimal arrangements are utterly captivating. Now a family man with two young children, the lyrics are reflective and apparently past indiscretions and his legacy are on his mind. 'Hey Little Bruiser' is a parental ode offering words of wisdom to his offspring, 'Let no man be your keeper, they have secrets in their eyes. Where would we be without the dreamers, who pay no heed to good advice?'. 'The Pretty Girls' dances in with a dainty piano intro that's a touching tribute to the wife who's 'the circus tamer to my beast'. He's at his most Jeff Buckley-like on 'Murmur In My Heart'. For all its stripped-down intimacy, it doesn't feel like anything is lacking from the album- instead it's like being invited to a private concert in a tiny back room.

  

 Waking Up Is Hard To Do

 

Eight years after the debut full-length 'Hearts And Unicorns', Giant Drag followed it up this month with 'Waking Up Is Hard To Do', a $15 digital download only album, available from Bandcamp. While not aware of specifics, I know the band has had a difficult existence, as the long gap between releases would indicate. It seems to have been a labour of love for Hardy, who describes it thus...;

'Giant Drag has felt like one big lonely abscessed tooth that needed to be pulled to make way for a colony of new, better, whiter, faster, catchier teeth to take it’s place'

'Waking Up Is Hard To Do' opens with the surprising lightness of '90210' and a definite hint of 70's glam. 'We Like The Weather' continues in a similar vein. Given the grungey fuzz, distortion and lo-fi sensibilities of album one it seems a deliberate shift in style. 'Won't Come Around' goes so far as to tease at David Bowie's 'Sound And Vision' with the backing 'oooh's'. 'Firestorm' is a spirited 'riot grrl' indie rocker (You think I'm wrong? I think you're wrong about that... You think I'm strrrrrong, you weren't supposed to see that') until the half-way point where the drums slow and the vocals become a kittenish lament (But I know I bring you down... and I know you don't want me around'), before regaining its attitude. 'Garbage Heart' steals the melody of Andy Williams's 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' and turns it on its head, audaciously using it to declare independance from a failed relationship 'there are no words left to say... you have been thrown away'. A few tracks on, 'Heart Carl' is another highlight a soulful, heartbroken ballad 'I never asked for this. Does anybody ask for this? We all want somebody... to reach out and kiss'. Album closer 'Seen The Light' is a playful, stomping track with gospel-style group vocals chiming in at the end. There's a sweetness and positivity that runs through the whole album and I enjoyed it as much as anything I've heard or could hope to hear all year.

I loved it, highly highly recommended. Please check it out.