Unassumingly announcing its arrival with solitary and delicately understated piano paired with birdsong in the form of the calming beauty of Culzean, the long-awaited new album from Glasgow’s very own legendary band The Bathers, Sirenesque, then segues smoothly into its majestic title track. When Chris Thomson’s well-kent, instantly recognisable and richly expressive smooth brogue kicks in it almost induces tears, such is the effect of his highly emotive style, a welcome sound that rolls back the years both with a sense of ebullience, but also tinged with an element of melancholia, the song has an element of Blackstar Bowie to it, before the guitar break takes over and the sense of hopeful buoyancy takes the lead once more.
Heartfelt Emotion
Perhaps the first listen to the album being on headphones at my desk at work wasn’t the best place to listen, I know work can be stressful, but it doesn’t (always) reduce me to tears…like this album did in shovelfuls…especially on Garlands. Don’t get me wrong, these tears aren’t reserved to moments of sadness and melancholy as mentioned, at heart I’m a hopeless romantic, and it is simply a side effect of that remarkably expressive husky voice, like an instrument in itself, his gravelly but sleekly tranquil vocal portrays such a range of heartfelt emotions it is impossible not to be affected, unless you have no soul. A feeling that few others can evoke, with the exception of perhaps Billy Mackenzie.
On the other hand, maybe work is the best place to listen, once I regained control of my emotions, I was overcome with a feeling of calm and serenity, not something I can often claim when at work. Ironically, for those who know what I do for a living, that serenity comes in waves with Locomotion is Easy, the addition of stunningly evocative vocals from Hazel Morrison absolutely sealing the deal.
Rich Vocal
Going back to Sirenesque then, the song is epic in the true sense of the word, coming in at around the eight-minute mark, that rich vocal complemented perfectly by elegantly restrained but soaring electric guitar, the addition of the Scottish Strings Ensemble completing the gloriously visceral and captivating sound. “Siren voices may sing; they can make you a king” summing up the feeling you get as the song reaches its spellbinding conclusion.
What follows in the shape of Late Night Conversations is just shy of a minute long, but no less affecting for that, “thank you for the memories” sings Thomson as the tune fades introducing the massively riveting and audially arresting Garlands. I only have to type the name of the song now and it sends shivers down my spine. Sweeping strings and gently brushed drums, with backing vocals sounding like angelic voices, the expressive melodies paired with allusive lyrics combine to paint pictures in the mind, “I kiss you once, I kiss you twice, so full of love, so full of life, hand by hand, side by side,” the emotion is palpable. Absolutely stunning in every sense.
Sense of Longing
The aforementioned Locomotion is Easy is preceded by another short interlude in the shape of A Map of Venice, with another string laden short but perfectly formed masterpiece, On the Road to the Isles following, both hinting at what is to come later the album. Birdsong returns to open The Camelia House, “what if tonight was just a dream” muses Chris with a female French voice quietly speaking in the background, a sense of longing in the vocal as he returns to the subject of the title track “will they hear the sirens calling out” leading to the final sense of yearning in the last line of the song, “those summer loves are just a footstep away.”
Lost Bravado is another song in classic Bather slow burner style, lyrics initially delivered in almost a murmured whisper, and with references from Sunkissed bathers to Kelvin Boys and The Mandarins, and with mention of Royal Exchange Square, this song effortlessly links Sirenesque to Summer Lightning and The Marina Trilogy (even to Friends Again). Subtle but strident slide guitar comes into play on penultimate song Welcome to Bellevue, the addition of these expressive guitar lines atop the quiet orchestration brings an extra layer of texture and feelings while underneath it all it remains undoubtedly a Bathers song.
Gentle orchestration introduces Feathers, Books and Laces, and weaves through the song with such grace and elegance, it smoothly combines with Thomson’s affectionate vocal to create another heartbreakingly tender and touching affair, muted trumpet and angelic harmonies bringing the song to its delicate conclusion
Masterfully Eloquent
The album closes in style with She Rose Through the Isles, more masterfully eloquent picture weaving lyrics from Chris atop minimalistic instrumentation before the stings sweep and soar complementing the vocal delivery and lyrics perfectly. ”At nightfall the birds sing their handsome country blues, the quest for sea and wild skies, to fly free in the jewels like crimson butterflies, it took a while, but she rose though the isles.”
I may have said this several times already this year, but on hearing Sirenesque and listening over and over, it is going to be a challenge for anyone to release a better selection of songs this side of 2024.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a ticket for the gig next week in Glasgow with Sister John and Cowboy Mouth, you’re in for a treat