Artist: Larry And His Flask
Album: By The Lamplight
Bitrate: 255kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Xtra Mile Recordings
Genre: Rock
Size: 82.59 megs
PlayTime: 0h 42min 53sec total
Rip Date: 2013-06-29
Store Date: 2013-06-28
Track List:
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01. Pandemonium 3:20
02. Out Of Print 2:21
03. Barleywine Bump 4:19
04. The Battle For Clear Sight 3:29
05. Log, Hearth, and Ash 4:38
06. Gone From You 4:00
07. Home Of The Slave 2:39
08. Some Cruel Twist Of Fate 3:49
09. Justice And Justification 3:35
10. Muffled Thrums 2:59
11. All That We've Seen 4:22
12. Tides 3:22
Release Notes:
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Bonkers but brilliant, Larry and his FlaskÆs latest release 'By The Lamplight'
is a thrilling effort that will leave a smile fixed on your face. This album
marks their baptism of fire in UK, and with the right level of exposure they
could easily become a household name.
The five-piece from Oregon have undergone numerous changes since their
conception ten years ago both physically and stylistically, but theyÆve finally
settled on a high octane bluegrass and folk-punk mixture to devastating effect.
'Pandemonium' is the perfect opener and offers an insight into what the rest of
the album has in store. Starting off with harmonious group vocals, it swiftly
cascades into a world of crashing drums, guitars and trombones that take away
all your senses. Imagine the chaos at the finale of 'Everybody Wants to Be a
Cat' in the Aristocats film with pianos crashing frenziedly through floorboards,
and you begin to create a mental picture of the mayhem.
Every track has its own unique quality, but 'Barleywine Bump' in particular
shows off the vocal range and flexibility of their sound. The song builds up
with a slow, pained vocal before jumping headfirst into a barnstorming chorus.
'Home of the Slave' is an old-fashioned rock nÆ roll track that sounds like it
could have been lifted straight from an Eddie Cochran album. ItÆs easy to see
why their live performances are raved about when their songs possess this raw
power. They recently toured with Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, and are
slowly but surely gaining wider recognition.
Ian Cook provides the lead vocals and has mastered the art of capturing a mood.
'Gone From You' is a beautifully crafted song that oozes passion. Charting the
story of a boy having to leave a life behind without an idea where heÆs heading,
itÆs a vulnerable side that demonstrates an unprecedented depth. Similarly
'Cruel Twist of Fate' is a dark and angry song. Cook spits out his vocals with
venom not too dissimilar to a Tom Waits track.
Unlike many of their folk counterparts plying their trade on the wave of a
Mumford revolution, each song is an interesting venture that grabs you by the
collar rather than tugging at the heartstrings. Every word in one of the more
revealing tracks 'All That WeÆve Seen' feels specially chosen. ItÆs a story of
heartbreak, and every fibre of sadness is rinsed out for all to hear.
True to form, the album closes with a characteristically stirring track 'Tides'.
All the best elements of the band come to the fore, with CookÆs crackling voice
coupled with the softer baritone of Jeshua Marshall accompanied by another
explosion of noise. The trombones, electric guitars and banjos do a final lap of
honour before silence descends. ItÆs a fitting finale.
ItÆs hard not to look at this effort with unashamed affection. By The Lamplight
taps into every conceivable emotion, and after multiple adrenaline rushes and
reflective moments you come out the other side feeling revitalised. ItÆs a
complete and utter triumph.