The Civilians are a Seattle based band and this is there third album. They have special Guest Steve Nieve along for the first single from the album Harder Than The Truth, the rest of The Civilians in question are Chris Livesay, Jim Jeffries, Doug Schartz, Kam Gurol, Jerry Cohen, Don Farwell.
The album opens with the title song Lush And Tumble whose title makes It sound like an ode to being so drunk you can barely stand up, but in fact is actually comes across as far more serene than that, it evokes rolling hills going down to the sea, as a relationship sounds like it might be about to crash on the rocks below, over some rather gently acoustic rock with a bit of a Waterboys flavor to it.
Incoming isn't shouted like it usually is at festivals, when the aerial attacks of all sorts of stuff begins, this is more of a bruised and soulful song that doesn't feel like you're under attack thankfully, as the piano and guitars weave about and do all sorts of stuff having been carefully placed in the mix.
The main single from the album Harder Than The Truth that features special guest Steve Nieve from the Playboys and The Attractions is next and it's a very poignant break up song, as you try to come to terms with why everything has fallen apart, the piano part is very evocative.
Ship To Shore opens with a very 1960's Bob Dylan style harmonica part, as it gets going, it's again much more like The Waterboys but with a helping of Danny Wilson, as they try to figure out just how much trouble they are in and where they are.
Eyes On The Horizon is almost the reply to Ship To Shore as you scan the ocean looking for that ship that's in trouble, can you see it, is that a distress signal or a flag flying from a far off mast while sounding a bit like Slim Chance.
Darling is a slow ruminative love song where every note, every word, feels very deliberate, so you know just how much he adores his Darling.
I Am This City at least doesn't claim to have built it, but is more about how the place feels and what it does for them, as the howling wind whips through town, the music gets down and dusky with a Little Feat style guitar solo and some rather careful drumming.
To The Moon appears to be a one way trip with no returns and piano led as if the pianist wants to be Bruce Hornsby before he joined that dreadful group, (Sorry I take a very English view of that hippy nonsense). This however is rather nice and has some Spanish style guitar as well for good measure, as the tune doesn't really get spacey more like its evoking strong feelings as someone expresses there love to a new partner.
Oh, Happy Day really isn't the hymn but has a very gently caressing feel to it as it slowly builds and weaves its way across your speakers.
True North has a real November fire feel to it and is the jauntiest thing on the album as it ups the pace like they are racing for the finish line, this is upbeat and happy sounding even if not all the lyrics reflect that, as well as being a good closing song.
Find out more https://www.facebook.com/TheCiviliansMusic/
