ARTiST: Tunng
TiTLE: Good Arrows
LABEL: Full Time Hobby
GENRE: Indie
TiME: 43:02 min
SiZE: 61,3 MB
BiTRATE: VBRkbps
RiP DATE: Jul-07-2007
RELEASE DATE: Aug-20-2007
WEBSiTE: http://www.tunng.co.uk/
Track List:
01. Take 03:25
02. Bricks 04:20
03. Hands 03:41
04. Bullets 05:59
05. Soup 03:33
06. Spoons 01:58
07. King 03:06
08. Arms 05:16
09. Secrets 03:32
10. String 02:45
11. Cans 05:27
Release Notes:
Good Arrows is the third album from Tunng, the
pastoral pop band behind the acclaimed MotherÆs
Daughter and Other Songs and Comments Of The Inner
Chorus. Taking its title from a favourite phrase of
co-founder Sam GenderÆs brother, Good Arrows is a
totally immersive record, enveloping the listener in
TunngÆs wyrd world. Their first album to be recorded
in its entirety with the full, six-piece band (core
duo Sam and Mike Lindsay handled the majority of the
first two), thereÆs a new depth of sound and power
here, and a clutch of songs thatÆll get right under
your skin. Taking influences from Icelandic prog
rock, choral music and film soundtracks, Good Arrows
marks a significant development for Tunng û theyÆve
expanded beyond the awkwardly-applied folktronica
label to become a fully fledged (if
experimentally-skewed) pop band.
ôWeÆve become much more of a unit, thinking together
and playing together and understanding each other,ö
says Mike. ôThe songwriting is more related to pop
themes than anything traditional and the production
is more related to skiffle bands than electronica.
It is a more accessible record but still challenging
genres and full of suprises.ö
Recorded in the Play Industries studios in East
London between January and May this year, the
sessions found the band introducing new instruments
û the hammer dulcimer, a steel-strung harp û
alongside familiar elements like field recordings
from their trusty tape machine - the æbeatsÆ in Arms
are actually fire crackles recorded in Big Sur,
California. But while Good Arrows retains the sense
of experimentalism that is TunngÆs calling card,
this is their most accessible album to date. Check
out Bullets for proof û itÆs the most inventive pop
song youÆre likely to hear this year, with inspired
lyrics and a throbbing oompah beat. Elsewhere,
Bricks blends quirky slide guitar with an organic
Bontempi beat, Soup begins as a Tubular Bells-style
instrumental and morphs into a heavy metal freakout
and Secrets turns distinctly modern lyrics into a
bewitching incantation. ôOpen up your tin of cold
soup/Heat it up with bread from the shop/Sit in
front of Jeremy Kyle/Wonder when the secrets will
stop,ö it says.
Tunng were formed in London in 2003 when producer /
guitarist Mike met singer songwriter Sam on the
circuit, they soon began making TunngÆs debut album
in a Soho basement above a lingerie shop. The
line-up expanded to a six piece for live gigs but
soon became a solid unit. And theyÆre all
multi-talented guys û extracurricular activities
involve everything from production (Mike has was
behind the desk for Serafina Steer and Cibelle's
latest efforts) to side projects with The Memory
BandÆs Stephen Cracknell (Sam) and playing in a sea
shanty band called Admirals Hard (Becky).
TunngÆs rising star saw them undertake a storming
European tour in 2006, with several high profile
gigs in the US. They even brushed shoulders with
Guns NÆ Roses legend Slash on a flight from Texas to
LA. But theyÆre in their element playing outdoors
with the sun on their backs and a glistening green
field at their feet, which is why theyÆll be
spending most of the summer at festivals (including
one organised by Sam in his hometown of Matlock
Bath). Closest to their heart is The Green Man
Festival û the band will be making their third
appearance at Green Man this year which will be
extra special as attendees will be allowed to buy
copies of Good Arrows before its release the
following Monday.
The eagle-eyed among you will also notice thereÆs a
fair amount of thematic titling going on in the
tracklisting, with each trackÆs name just a single
word. ôThere might well be a secret story in amongst
all those words,ö says Mike. ôBut what could it
mean?ö Answers on a postcard please.