354) Morcheeba - The Sea

Review 316 was Sneaker Pimps Becoming X where I mentioned Morcheeba and thought I must review that record.

I am very much a guitar indie man, a woman in my work always asks me what I’m listening to and after my reply the response is either “never heard of them,” or “bloody hell that must be forty odd years old.”

I can’t deny I know what I like, constantly go back to old favourites and if it is new, it usually has an indie vibe. Some of the requests on here have turned me onto music I would have never listened to and for that I am eternally grateful.

Occasionally I have a crap day, we all have them, I can’t stand my job, it’s a pointless job, Finance, not only is it pointless but it’s boring as well but the joy of needing to earn a certain amount of money means I will be doing it for a good few years yet.  The writing is never going to earn me anything!

Anyway, I am not the only one in this boat so this isn’t a moan but some days I don’t want The Fall or The Clash (not often, don’t worry) but just need to chill and one of the records I can turn to is Big Calm.

The band, the Godfrey brothers and the wonderful singer Skye Edwards, have moved on from their debut and we have atmospheric, trip hop sounds with added flourishes of guitar, reggae, electronic music over eleven songs all done and dusted in forty-five minutes.

Opener The Sea couldn’t be better named as it ripples, the music coming at you in waves before the chorus and the wah-wah guitar washes over you, you already start to feel relaxed.

Shoulder Holster we have the sitar and big beats with a strong chorus before we enter the wild west steel guitar for Part of the Process with a violin thrown in for good measure, it shouldn’t work but does for me.

Blindfold we have a bit of scratching, strings, a persuasive guitar, and each time we are led back into the chorus it is a recurring joy. The acoustic led Over and Over highlights Edwards vocals, they are stunning across the whole record, perfect pitch and knows when and how to deliver, the reggae influenced Friction is a perfect point as she emphases that word before stepping aside to allow Jamaican vocals before stepping back in.

As we approach the end a trumpet solo arrives on the aching joy that is Fear and Love and we have rap and a guitar solo on the title track, an album that is full of highs.

I must be in the mood for this record, but when I am I can think of nothing better. Crap day, see if Big Calm can take you to a better place.

8/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: The Sea