One Little Indian - Out 8th June
'Here Come The Vikings' marks the 4th studio outing for Astrid Williamson and sounds a hell of a long way from her home of the Shetland Islands as I'm sure most of you will be picturing sheep at 45 degree angles bracing against the wind when thinking of the Shetlands and not music of this calibre and often abrasiveness also Astrid's voice isn't anything like you would expect, there's no twang, no tweed, and certainly no och' aye what you do get is something akin to a country/folk/americana sound that reminds me very much of Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac all delivered to music that spans the country(ish) vibe to the almost 70s stomp of Rumours era Mac to Sonic Youth's fuzz.
Opening with 'Store' a song that delves into self-imposed isolation and the build-up inside desperately aching for a release "Everybody needs to hold on/ Everybody needs to touch / Everybody needs connection / Even if sometimes it feels too much " it's backdropped against a moody wig-out of Edge-esque guitars (Eno/Berlin era). Before changing tact for 'Sing The Body Electric' that's every inch the mature pop song featuring a wonderfully deft vocal in the chorus and a great driving horn section that just ups the tempo which is something Astrid was keen to do for 'Here Come The Vikings' claiming that "I was losing 10 BPM every album, so I thought I'd plug in and sort things out." she certainly achieves some foot pounding on this track.
For more of that plug in thrash out mentality look no further than 'Shut Your Mouth' that tunes in instantly and fails to give way for the duration as Astrid goes in search of or more in demand of man hence the chorus "You better shut your mouth... until I kiss you" if you say so Astrid. Now after the call and demand we get the come down with the Portishead-lite of 'How You Take My Breath Away' that's like a slightly warped ballad with haunting vocals and lyrics "Winter threads it's fingers through my hair / I can feel it / Escape well I just stay" it's polished and not at all awkward or out of place.
The album pivots on 'Crashing Minis' which starts very much understated and atmospheric leaving you waiting for the explosion that must wait around the corner but Astird is much more cute than that continuing to arc out this grandiose piece of music incorporating all the scratching guitars of Jonny Greenwood with jazzy flourishes and rhythm section sparkle, yes there's a fair amount to take in but its rewarding and of course the crash, bang never does arrive. However, after the peak always comes the descent and unfortunately 'Falling Down' is slightly generic though it does show some sheen but it's all very 80s synth for me. 'Pinned' is a very sombre piano led track that does deliver where 'Crashing Minis' teased as we are treated to some great guitar play that lifts the mood of the track alongside it's chorus it's quite a startling track and one which grows with affection each time I hear it.
'Slake' takes a slightly obscure treatment and seeks to develop from it, the idea ten syllables per line in order to impose a restriction on the creative process to see where it leads and though the vocals are buried underneath effects the music steps out of stride and throws itself against the wall hard creating a rock behemoth in the making if only it could be turned up further, there's hints of PJ Harvey on one of her guitar heavy days. 'Eve' is all slender and slinky like some kind of lounge lizard with Astrid draped over a grand Steinway breathing at men in smoky rooms before reaching down and crushing them with only her words. Wrapping up with what at first sounds like wedding bells that veers into 'The Stars Are Beautiful' a very tender almost playful nursery rhyme of a track, it sounds like Christmas.
'Here Come The Vikings' is a treasure of an album that maybe won't reach the masses but will certainly touch those who do have the fortune and insight to have a listen, Astrid Williamson has a wonderful voice and writes some incredibly witty and image conjuring lyrics, its a strength that hopefully will serve her well.
Tracklist:
1. Store
2. Sing The Body Electric
3. Shut Your Mouth
4. How You Take My Breath Away
5. Crashing Minis
6. Falling Down
7. Pinned
8. Slake
9. Eve
10. The Stars Are Beautiful
The Official Astrid Williamson Site
Astrid Williamson on MySpace Music
Opening with 'Store' a song that delves into self-imposed isolation and the build-up inside desperately aching for a release "Everybody needs to hold on/ Everybody needs to touch / Everybody needs connection / Even if sometimes it feels too much " it's backdropped against a moody wig-out of Edge-esque guitars (Eno/Berlin era). Before changing tact for 'Sing The Body Electric' that's every inch the mature pop song featuring a wonderfully deft vocal in the chorus and a great driving horn section that just ups the tempo which is something Astrid was keen to do for 'Here Come The Vikings' claiming that "I was losing 10 BPM every album, so I thought I'd plug in and sort things out." she certainly achieves some foot pounding on this track.
For more of that plug in thrash out mentality look no further than 'Shut Your Mouth' that tunes in instantly and fails to give way for the duration as Astrid goes in search of or more in demand of man hence the chorus "You better shut your mouth... until I kiss you" if you say so Astrid. Now after the call and demand we get the come down with the Portishead-lite of 'How You Take My Breath Away' that's like a slightly warped ballad with haunting vocals and lyrics "Winter threads it's fingers through my hair / I can feel it / Escape well I just stay" it's polished and not at all awkward or out of place.
The album pivots on 'Crashing Minis' which starts very much understated and atmospheric leaving you waiting for the explosion that must wait around the corner but Astird is much more cute than that continuing to arc out this grandiose piece of music incorporating all the scratching guitars of Jonny Greenwood with jazzy flourishes and rhythm section sparkle, yes there's a fair amount to take in but its rewarding and of course the crash, bang never does arrive. However, after the peak always comes the descent and unfortunately 'Falling Down' is slightly generic though it does show some sheen but it's all very 80s synth for me. 'Pinned' is a very sombre piano led track that does deliver where 'Crashing Minis' teased as we are treated to some great guitar play that lifts the mood of the track alongside it's chorus it's quite a startling track and one which grows with affection each time I hear it.
'Slake' takes a slightly obscure treatment and seeks to develop from it, the idea ten syllables per line in order to impose a restriction on the creative process to see where it leads and though the vocals are buried underneath effects the music steps out of stride and throws itself against the wall hard creating a rock behemoth in the making if only it could be turned up further, there's hints of PJ Harvey on one of her guitar heavy days. 'Eve' is all slender and slinky like some kind of lounge lizard with Astrid draped over a grand Steinway breathing at men in smoky rooms before reaching down and crushing them with only her words. Wrapping up with what at first sounds like wedding bells that veers into 'The Stars Are Beautiful' a very tender almost playful nursery rhyme of a track, it sounds like Christmas.
'Here Come The Vikings' is a treasure of an album that maybe won't reach the masses but will certainly touch those who do have the fortune and insight to have a listen, Astrid Williamson has a wonderful voice and writes some incredibly witty and image conjuring lyrics, its a strength that hopefully will serve her well.
Tracklist:
1. Store
2. Sing The Body Electric
3. Shut Your Mouth
4. How You Take My Breath Away
5. Crashing Minis
6. Falling Down
7. Pinned
8. Slake
9. Eve
10. The Stars Are Beautiful
The Official Astrid Williamson Site
Astrid Williamson on MySpace Music
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