Knock-bang percussion and a distant harmonica reverb combine for a 69-second instrumental – could it be a short but sweet reminder about the latest Blackburn conspiracy theory?
The Uprising is here.
Born out of the ruins of the Industrial Revolution, ACOUSTIC UPRISING is essentially the work of two men. The joint creative force consists of Ian H., one time front man of hotly-tipped Blackburn five-piece BRADFORD, alongside globe-trotting multi-instrumentalist and producer Pete Bentley. Both are responsible for building the guitars, vocals and percussion into the earthy, warped trance that echoes on through songs like ‘Safe’, and ‘Lifetide’.
Paranoia, global conspiracy and doubtful sanity all figure as the contents of a troubled mind are rattled out. Rich in harmony and driven by frantic self-searching, the message is one of unrest, dissatisfaction. Somewhere in the lyrics there’s a scornful appraisal of television, and that is enough to make me love it.
The shimmering pop of ‘Mantra’ has the same urgent protests, dissolved only by the melodic chorus. Bathroom backing vocals cry out from down the hallway, bongos slap out and the pulse shakes beneath the surface. This is low-key rather than lo-fi, but the quality is evident
With unemployment at its highest ever level and CCTV cameras on every corner, there’s never been a greater opportunity for the back to basics approach to spearhead pop’s reaction. With plenty of political/social unrest to go at, and the subways filling up once more, the acoustic singer/songwriters are multiplying like bunnies. Folk music is sharp once again, and open mic/acoustic nights (like the successful one run by Ian and Pete for the past two years) are thriving. Not that this is merely protest music. Part of its edge is political, but it’s the solid structure and variety over the twelve tracks that captures the imagination.
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In terms of songwriting, this is great stuff. The voice of experience is consistent throughout and the extremely well-developed jamming ethic is like a thousand yard stare at the series of intricate structures that mark out the path of psychic defence. Wood-chiming dream-catcher noises soothe the soul as the music winds its way into your heart.
Retrospective glances at lost youth and love ring out through the classic pop sound of songs like ‘Gave A Time’ and ‘Reign Over’. “Love will surely win the day” sings Ian H. against a backdrop of layered guitars, whilst ‘Skin Covered Drum’ lounges over a marimba-fuelled exotic trance. The bass boom is like putting your ear to a beating heart.
The anchored tambourine in ‘Rise Above’ escapes the depths despite the weight of the song’s solid structure, whilst finale ‘Otro Mundo Es Posible’ is awash with scheming conspiracy and echoing harmonica.
ACOUSTIC UPRISING are excellent purveyors of earthy, raw pop, and this is one to get hold of for all those who appreciate good songwriting.
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