This album is the fruits of a collaboration between Rebecca and Megan Lovell (alias LARKIN POE) and Norwegian multiple award winner THOM HELL with special guest Sola Akingbola (Jamiroquai).
It came about after Thom attended one of Larkin Poe’s concerts and was suitably inspired. This resulted in two recording sessions over the last two years, which have finally seen the light of day, and from my perspective are remarkably good.
There are ten tracks on the album, with vocals being shared between the Lovell sisters and Thom. The album ranges in genre from a folky pop, to country and country blues and, as ever, with the Larkins' output Rebecca and Megan’s mandolin and dobro sound dominate the music.
The opening track, 'I Belong to Love’ was written by Rebecca Lovell and the girls take the main vocals, with Thom adding some good harmonies. This is a folk-tinged pop tune that is slightly reminiscent of some of Fleetwood Mac’s later work. The lyrics are all about falling in love and learning to love again, which suits the harmonies on this song: - “I belong to love, and that love belongs to him, and he belongs above like the Angels...And I’d love to be a little less afraid, of the changes in me that love has made/‘Cause it’s hard to be in love again."
This is a track that works really well, the subject matter suiting the girls’ ethereal voice perfectly. Elsewhere, on tracks like ‘P.S. I Love You’, lead vocals are shared equally, and this adds to the song, which is a slice of anthemic country pop featuring some excellent steel guitar work. Once again, the lyrics revolve around love and relationships:- “Sitting on the harbour, wishing Lord that he were home/ He writes a letter written for his darling, that honey babe that he left home.” And he writes: - “I’ve walked this whole world through, with you in my heart/ And I’ve grown accustomed to thoughts of you in the back of my mind.”
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What really makes this one stand out is the juxtaposition of vocals, with Thom and Rebecca singing the opposite vocal part to that which appears to have been written for them. On other tracks, such as ‘Leave’, (written by Thom) a different perspective on relationships is shown. Thom sings lead on this country song which blends acoustic and electric guitars very well and suits the darker tone of this song.
Ultimately, 'The Sound of The Ocean Sound' is a remarkable collaboration, and well worth a listen. The girls are touring the UK this April, taking in London, Didcot, Tonbridge and a few other places off the beaten track, so if they’re near to you, get down and see them: you won’t be disappointed.
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