And celebrate they should – because this album does not disappoint. In this industry there is inevitably a barrage of comparisons to other artists. But the band’s soft, melodic folk sound deserves to be praised and appreciated in its own right. After all, comparisons are odious. I feared that to a degree the stripped-back element may be lost in production – or over-production – but Island Records also deserve credit for resisting that temptation, and it shows through for the duration of the album.
The record opens with Old Pine, a song written about a young Ben’s surf trip to France. It is a beautifully melodic track which captures the essence of being young and carefree.
The better known The Wolves has also been re-recorded from the single, and extended by a further two minutes, inspired by a live performance. . And here we see the choir-esque backing vocals of Chris and India, which help cement the view that the trio are a match made in heaven. Those backing vocals also make a significant appearance in Keep Your Head Up, and if anything I would have liked to have seen them utilised even more throughout the ten tracks. The Wolves has also been adopted by Surfers Against Sewage, a campaign for which Ben has expressed his support; not only vocally, but by holding free, barefoot beach gigs around the country to clean up Britain’s beaches.
The album really does take you on the clichéd proverbial rollercoaster; from the sombre Black Flies to the inspirational Keep Your Head Up. This song should be remembered for whenever you are far from home and feeling defeated. It really is a true ‘traveller’s song’.
So if you are yet to listen to Every Kingdom, you can expect intricate guitar playing, soft but uplifting vocals, and meaningful lyrics. It may have been released too late to be the album of your summer, but it will no doubt be the album to get me through the harsh winter. After all, it grows more and more powerful with every listen.
By Martin Greenacre
