The Wind Up Radio Sessions - Red Brick House
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The biggest strength of the band as exhibited here is their ability to take acoustic-heavy songs from subtle to captivatingly vast. Instead of these songs sounding like gentle tunes in a small room, they sound more as if they are as wide open as a field or the bright blue sky – but this never makes them any less personal. Marc and Dan Kiely and Matthew Lazenby understand the power of musical negative space, but also successfully fill in such space with fitting background vocals, organ flourishes, or droning electric guitar on songs like “Lazy Bee” and “Pigeons.”
However, there are a few particular moments of unevenness. The songs are consistent and beautiful, but sometimes a few lose steam or feel somewhat misplaced. On “In the Morning,” the engaging verses – anchored by a strong ascending bass riff – give way to a chorus that doesn’t fully live up to its potential, playing a bit too much into familiar territory. With its group harmonies and succinct guitar and percussion, “Let Me Go” is fine enough, but an odd centerpiece between “Nairobi” and the absolutely attractive melancholy of “My Only Friend.”
The songs here are well-arranged, but loose, as well. They feel natural and warm. While they don’t necessarily all break new musical ground or consistently escape a sense of familiarity, they are still successful in their own ways. The Wind Up Radio Sessions is a project that has been crafted over the years and, with Red Brick House, it’s clear that time is certainly a theme for the band as well as a positive influence on their sound.
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