227) BC Camplight - The Last Rotation of Earth

BC Camplight is Brian James Christinzio an American based over here in the UK ands The Last Rotation of Earth is his sixth solo record, and I must confess I had never heard of him until I heard him on Marc Riley one night and thought I would give this album a try.

Christinzio has dealt with alcohol and mental health issues and was deported from the UK and has previously documented this, but this record was made on the back of the breakup of a long-term relationship.

The album opens with a shuffle as we go straight into the title track and a piano chimes in as BC builds up and up with a bizarre guitar solo and choir like backing vocals, a strong and impressive start.

The Movie is a very clever as a narrator sets the scene before BC comes in, here he is detailing the breaking up of the relationship, the line “Where’s my fucking cake?” is delivered with real emotion and Franchesca Pidgeon duets as they go back and forth arguing, very clever and enjoyable. Franchesca is also on I’m Ugly which veers off into jazz halfway through before coming back as they both belt out the chorus, mesmerising.

It Never Rains in Manchester reminds me a bit of Leonard Cohen, minimal music, and a low voice before he branches out on the chorus and Kicking Up A Fuss is synth heavy and manages to mention David Dickinson, not what I’d expect but I love his voice when it soars.

She’s Gone Cold mentions the Tories, Homes Under the Hammer as Brian realises the relationship is ending, the playing in the background is lush and Fear: Life In a Dozen Years we have a heavy riff (it’s Metallica like!) and a lovely falsetto and his vocals are stunning on Going Out On a Low Note.

The instrumental The Mourning brings this magical record to an end. This album blew me away and is one of the best releases I have heard in recent years and for that alone it must receive top marks.

10/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: I’m Ugly