Review: The Last Battle – The Springwell EP
I received an envelope through my letterbox one morning to find a excellently handmade EP from Scottish band, The Last Battle. It is hard to sum up this band’s genre but “indie twee loveliness” does spring(well) to mind. Upon the CD reads a personal message which includes the phrase “that music nonsense”, however what it contains is far from how it is described.
The EP is started with a catchy and unusual beginning of unaccompanied drums. The rustic sound of ‘Floored’ fits in perfectly with the handmade sleeve and DIY feel I get from the release. ’Ward 119′ is a faster, happier tune and although they’ll probably hate me for saying it – I’m strongly reminded of Frightened Rabbit when I hear the pacey acoustic guitar and spot on harmonies.
Flora’s vocals and ability to harmonise are displayed in ‘Viv Nicholson’. My favourite song of the EP has a strong theme and “sometimes the good times have to end” sums this up. Slow and simple are what this band do best
‘The Last Dance’ is when the introduction of brass and woodwind are really enforced. The quality of production on this record varies throughout and tracks go from sounding like they were recorded in a bedroom to high quality studio recordings. ’The Last Dance’ definitely has a deliberate bedroom feel to it. Again, Flora’s harmonies are on top form.
At only 1 minute 8 seconds, when listening to ‘Lost, But Not Forever’, it’s as if we have joined a song half way through. “I will find my way again” brings the EP to a very sombre end.
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http://heatherlikesmusic.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/the-last-battle-the-springwell-ep/ The Last Battle – The Springwell EP | heatherlikesmusic
