Richard Hawley – Truelove’s Gutter
Richard Hawley has come a pretty long way since the days of playing alongside Jarvis Cocker in Pulp. He’s now established himself as a credible solo artist and has also found time to help friends Elbow on their last album by contributing vocals and guitar to album cut The Fix. The Sheffield singer songwriter, much adored by critics and fellow Sheffield musicians Arctic Monkeys (they claim they ‘robbed’ the Mercury Prize from him in 2006) is back in the limelight and with a brand new album to boot, Truelove’s Gutter.
In the context of the year 2009, where this year’s best records have been ones looking to the future and constantly trying to develop new ideas, Hawley’s album stands out as one that looks to the past and brings it bang up to date with a sound that is unlike anything else you’ll hear this year. Truelove’s Gutter is eerie and atmospheric, sometimes quite sparse in its arrangements, a lengthy but cohesive listen, and hopelessly romantic. Essentially, it’s unmistakably Richard Hawley. This is very much an album that has been made for the listener to digest as a whole as opposed to just picking tracks that they like, giving more reasons for the case of albums staying in this new era of music listening. It all feels like one big song broken up into eight separate parts (but not necessarily a concept album).
The best songs are the ones that build to a big crescendo and have moments where the music rises up and gives you an emotional slap around the face. Open Up Your Door builds into a majestic ballad, whilst Soldier On starts off very quiet and ponderous as Hawley’s croon and guitar is all that there is before it just explodes out of nowhere into one of the more sweeping moments on the album. Other highlights include the ten minute-long Remorse Code, where every Hawley chorus is followed by some of his best guitar work on the album, and Ashes On The Fire, the musical equivalent of sitting down in front of a fireplace on a chilly winter evening. It ends with Don’t You Cry, another ten minute-long song that ends a sad album on a very peaceful note.
As the nights get longer and the weather gets colder, this seems like the perfect time for Truelove’s Gutter to come out. The truth of matter though is that this record is an absolute must-buy, regardless of what time of year it comes out.
RATING – 4/5
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Posted on September 24th, 2009 by Max
Filed under: Albums, Reviews
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