Labels: Viper Bite
Review by: Samuel Fowler
If I was extremely lazy I’d just bolt together a few half arsed
paragraphs, say it sounded like Johnny Cash playing billiards with
Lucero on the back of a dingy tramp-steamer in Mississippi and leave
it there. But I shan’t.
It just looks so nice. The cardboard case looks as if it’s been
screened or something similar, the cover being a dejected looking
jester with his hands clasped over his eyes, with the songs being
scrawled on the back. Open it up and the inside is similarly lovingly
put together, with a rather hefty insert jammed with a good selection
of songs and pictures. Auld Lang Syne are drawing from hallowed
tradition, and following in the footsteps of many other fine bands,
none of whom I, regrettably, know anything about. I probably should
do, because they’re pretty flipping great. The opening track (long
ago) sets the tone, it’s a proper slow burner, from the school of
songs that ember and smoulder gorgeously throughout, with the singer
ambling along at his own pace. It’s Americana/country music sure
enough, and I’d usually just compare bands in this vein to a
derivative take on one of the greats. But there’s something else going
on here, we have one of those bands that have defined their own sound.
When I’m in the correct frame of mind, I keep finding myself being
drawn to putting this on again.
The fact that many of the songs are fairly sparse and minimal helps
add to the effect, Auld Lang Syne just sound so jaded and burned out.
It blends perfectly into the songs making them sound like the hopeless
haunted mutterings of a rum sodden hobo on his last legs. I
particularly love the gospelly almost sepulchral vocals that flit out
and in throughout the course of this album. This is the perfect thing
for the bleary mornings where the hangover hasn’t lifted, and the rain
streaks endlessly down the window panes.