We Were Here – Turin Brakes
(cooking vinyl records)
Since 1999 Turin Brakes have been stalking through the
undergrowth of the music jungle. They burst into view with the Mercury
nominated ‘The Optimist LP’, but have steadily receded into the deep woods ever
since; establishing a loyal cult following along the way. ‘We Were Here’ might just create the clearing the 4-piece need to achieve
wider recognition once more.
In many respects this is a return to their roots;
re-establishing ethereal harmonies with dark, forbidding lyrics. At times the
ripping lead guitar of Gale Paridjanian bursts through the melodic rivers flowing with
Ollie Knight’s vocals.
There is an organised chaos to the excellent ‘Blindsided Again’,
which is entwined with David Gilmour's influence. It builds to a raucous
crescendo that could leave you breathless. In complete contrast ‘Erase
Everything’ yearns with an aching sadness. Turin Brakes have managed to develop
a sympathetic eco-structure within ‘We
Were Here’ creating a perfectly balanced environment. The Kings of the jungle
are ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Guess You Heard’ that weave Eddy Myer’s lilting bass through
devilishly addictive choruses. The songs grow and flower
constantly creating new landscapes on every listen.
It remains to be seen whether Turin Brakes’ 6th
album creates the same splash as the 1st, but for the great music
hunters ‘We Were Here’ is most definitely a trophy worth having.
