STACK #187 May 2020

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Jehnny Beth To Love Is To Live

Of I‘mThe Man – Jehnny Beth‘s collaboration with Peaky Blinders director Anthony Byrne – she revealed, “Its aim is to make you feel, not think,“and this intention holds true for the entirety of her stunning debut solo album. The story goes that on 10 January, 2016, the Savages lead singer/cowriter woke up suddenly in the middle of the night and discovered that Bowie had died. After rousing her long-time life/creative partner Johnny Hostile, the pair listened to Blackstar on repeat until dawn, and Bowie‘s powerful final statement

Testament Titans Of Creation

reminded Beth of the enduring nature of albums. While the pair created her showpiece To Love Is To Live , Hostile projected scenes from movies – including 2017‘s Dunkirk – onto the studio walls. Cinematic flourishes – footsteps, traffic sounds, a clock ticking – enliven this record, which is bookended by spoken word (delivered by a man): “I am naked all the time/ I am burning inside/ I am a voice no one can hear...“ To introduce I‘mThe Man , Cillian Murphy recites one of Beth‘s own poems, A Place Above : “See the most powerful man raise his hand to tell us a lie/ No, no, not another lie...“This caterwauling track then asserts electronic dominance until gentle piano enters like a sympathetic hand placed on a shoulder that‘s then unceremoniously swiped away: “I‘MTHE MAN!“This phrase, whispered by assorted male voices, infiltrates the stark track that follows somewhat like unwelcome voices inside your head.

Titans Of Creation solidifies Testament‘s status as one the greatest of all thrash metal bands. While they never reached the status of Metallica, Megadeth or Slayer, they definitely gave Anthrax a run for their money. If you ask me, Testament should have taken their place, if not for anything but consistency and pure heavy metal attitude. Titans Of Creation pulls no punches from the get-go, making an early impact with opener Children Of The Next Level and only eases up as the solemn strains of Catacombs draw to an end. Get yourself a copy. (Caroline/Nuclear Blast) Simon Lukic

Themes of love, lust, sex, morality and guilt (“...of course, ‘cause I was raised a Catholic”) are ever present. Dynamic contrast – even within individual songs – pounces and startles. The French Countryside is a wistful shard of sunlight: a moment of quiet reflection within the torturous psychological struggle. Much like Bowie, Beth is a multifaceted artist, sonic warrior and innovator. To Love Is To Live is a confessional, abrasive and heroic masterpiece. (Caroline) Bryget Chrisfield

Birds of Tokyo Human Design

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Just Coolin‘ Founded in the mid 1950s by drummer Art Blakey (who led the band until his death in 1990), the Jazz Messengers provided a launching pad for young jazz talent, many of whom went on to establish careers as solo performers; Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett and Wynton Marsalis are just a few who benefited from Blakey‘s originally recorded on March 8th 1959 – features Blakey on drums, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist Bobby Timmons and bassist Jymie Merrill, in their prime. This is one of the ‘must have‘ jazz releases of 2020. (Blue Note) Billy Pinnell tutelage. This never-before- released jazz masterpiece –

Nightwish Human. :II: Nature. Nightwish are originators; they were the first band to bring female-fronted symphonic power metal to the world. More importantly, they pushed the envelope of their style with each successive release, and never sacrificed their core sound. Human. :II: Nature. continues the trend and is their most ambitious effort yet. Spread across two CDs, disc one features vocals and disc 2 is all instrumental, giving fans a great deal to digest and take in. Human. :II: Nature. is a grower that opens up with repeated plays. Give it the time it needs and your patience will be rewarded. (Caroline/Nuclear Blast) Simon Lukic

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Contemporary

Birds of Tokyo‘s sixth studio album opens with acoustic guitars and some handclaps. It could be a campfire singalong, and that goes to the heart of this band. Their songs might be grand designs – rousing and anthemic – but at their core, they are simple and direct, with the choir of voices in the choruses making them relatable for every listener. An album of “false starts and lost hearts”, Human Design documents the breakdown of singer Ian Kenny‘s marriage. It‘s filled with regret – “I could have said things better,“he admits – but the result is eloquent and emotional. “This journey, it ain‘t over for me,“Kenny declares. And, indeed, this is a high point for the band. These are stirring songs for the soul. (Eleven/EMI) Jeff Jenkins

Formerly known as Little Charlie &The Nightcats, this band is now fronted by singer-songwriter/ harmonica virtuoso Rick Estrin, who took the reins after founder member and guitarist Charlie Baty‘s retirement in 2008. The core line-up of Estrin – one of the most inventive lyricists of the modern era – guitarist Kid Anderson and keyboard player Lorenzo Farrell have, as the album title suggests, spiced their blues creations with elements of jazz, funk and rap, thinking outside the box. Slow blues, blues that rock, and jazzy instrumentals, performed by a band at the top of their game. (Alligator) Billy Pinnell

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MAY 2020