There is a certain irony that, in a week when I was reminded by events close to home about our mortality as a species, I am reviewing the new album by James King and the Lonewolves. The Mortality Arcade, is album which, while highlighting the fragility of life and exploring the themes of love, loss and grief, both emphasises that raw feeling of emptiness and sorrow that we go though when we lose a loved one, but also is somehow uplifting, a comfort in hard times and an opportunity to reflect on the positive ways in which those we have lost have touched our lives. I truly stand by the assertion that music has healing qualities, I would imagine as much from a writers perspective as much as for that of the listener.
The history of the band is one that has seen them journey through difficult times, personally and as a band, a journey which appears to be reflected by King in the potent lyrics that fill this breath-taking album. Maybe it is the current rawness in my own current experiences, but these songs have the ability to raise a lump in the throat or a welling in the eyes at times, while also creating moments of heart swelling pride and perhaps a wry smile, or maybe it is just because he has a talent for writing beautifully hard-hitting songs. Or maybe even further than that, it is that vocal. James King has a voice that could melt the hardest of hearts, his is an instantly recognisable gruffly textured brogue, the expression in delivery has an emotional impact that can both hit like a punch to the gut, but can also have a gentle soothing influence as his words soar into the ether.
And I’ve not even touched on the music yet. The synergy between the subject matter of the songs, the playing and musical arrangement displays a perfect synthesis. The levels of emotion, the fragility and strength demonstrated in the lyrics and vocal delivery are complemented perfectly by the bands uniquely soulful brand of country-blues Southern rock, not only in the accomplished playing and the choice of instruments to match the mood of the song, but in the arrangements, production and touching sampled vignettes. As I type this I’m listening to Farewell Daisy Bell and the tears are literally streaming down my face. The album starts in style with the emotional rollercoaster of My Queen Has Lost Her Crown, while later there is a assertive defiance in one of the albums singles, Whipping Boy, the sense of rebellion rising in the chorus, McNeill’s bass comes to the fore on Every Mother’s Son, a song that will touch the heart of everyone who has lost a parent, both a celebration of love, and a letting go of pent up sadness and grief. On At the Bottom of the Sea, strings and mandolin come together to great effect and When It’s Time to Go wrenches at the heart-strings, the soulful piano and steel guitar arrangement a perfect foil to the sorrowful lyrics and vocal delivery, towards the end of the album Parting Time has a an almost regretful reflective feel to the lyrics, the music feels uplifting and inspiring.
All told this is one hell of a powerfully emotive album, the return of original bass player Colin McNeill and production by the talented Johnny Smillie are the icing on the cake on a record which has James King and his band of Lonewolves coming together at the top of their game to produce an album that will surely stand the test of time and will be hard for any of today’s young pups to live up to.
The band play an album release show for The Mortality Arcade in Stereo on the 7th of June. I’m fully expecting to be a ragged emotional wreck by the end of the show…
James King and the Lonewolves – Facebook – Last Night From Glasgow