Now is the time for Insurrection
The title of the new offering from Southern Approach is timely in its title. The dis-United Kingdom is at breaking point – literally, with the shambolic Brexit debacle exacerbating the divides between the people and those in power and that is before we stray outwith these shores…
Southern Approach was the first band to feature on the Ginger Quiff blog and I’m pleased to say that, despite all the shite going on, the band continues to go from strength to strength with the release of their latest rabble-rousing digital album Insurrection.
Beautiful Inside and Out
In a further act of kismet, there is also a mental health link. All proceeds from the sale of the album will go directly to Beautiful Inside & Out (SCIO), a Scottish registered charity supporting bereaved parents and siblings of suicide victims, promoting feelings of self-worth. A worthy cause I’m sure you’ll agree. So not only will your hard-earned cash be getting some great new tunes into your life, it will also be going to a great cause. Kudos to the band. R.I.P. to friend of the band and fellow musician Billy Samson.
So, what of Insurrection? Since the band released their debut album Restitution, there have been a couple of line-up changes, with Sandy and Shirley moving on, the new settled line up for Insurrection is the inimitable David Munro Orr and divine Zoe Neil on vocals, powerhouse Neill Ramsay on Drums, Philip Harkness solid as always on Bass and multi-talented virtuoso Barry Lewis on Guitars (& Keyboards & Vocals). They certainly haven’t lost any of their verve, if anything, the sound of the band is wider, more expansive and a tad heavier/gothier than their debut.
Cushioned for Comfort?
The album opens with an eerily atmospherically haunting vignette, Intro (Cushioned for Comfort). One of three short tracks interspersed between songs on the album. Shake Pt II linking back to Restitution and the acoustic Life Goes On leading into The End Game featured on the Be Mine EP from last year, the lead single Be Mine featuring here also. These short effective pieces linking the songs together into a kind of goth concept album.
Having looked at the track list before listening, it is only on playing this first track that realisation clicks around the meaning of the name of the final track and how the album pulls together – “This rooms’ not cushioned for comfort, it’s a nutcracker suite”.
Cushioned for Comfort segues into first full track, Icarus has an urgent “you fly, you fly, you fly, into the sun..” refrain, sonorous guitars and sweet chiming harmonies making its a welcome full-length opener. Throughout the album, Zoe and Munro’s vocals work perfectly together – Zoe is the Julianne to Munro’s Wayne with her sublime serenity overlaying his deep solid rumble
Ethereal
Title track, Insurrection, has alluring ethereal qualities to it with its wistful elegiac guitars and angelic whispered backing vocals before the bruising darkly sinister chorus arrives with disaffecting crushing guitars knocks you sideways.
Following on from charismatic single Be Mine, Life Stands Still is a beguiling ballad, the twin vocals playing off each other. Awake Me does just that as its unassuming verses rise to a thunderous climax in the chorus. The familiar epic soaring sound that represents the Southern Approach of their debut album is recalled in the heroic The End Game having been introduced by the entrancing instrumental reprise Life Goes On. We are nearly at the end game, but plenty to enjoy. Penultimate track Inside is another majestic soaring epic, including some crunching glam-rock-esque riffs.
Take Me Home…
Weeping souls’ soundtrack sinister footsteps walking through The Nutcracker Suite in the acoustic opening to this last track, linking back to the album’s impactful opening. Melodic lead guitar and keys overlaid with affecting vocals bring the album to a profound end, the door slamming making certain we’ve reached the point of no return.
Head to bandcamp and buy this now. It is name your price, but remember where the money is going and don’t be tight.