As part 3 of a trilogy, new album Memory is described as the widescreen movie, with the previous releases of Blindspot and Distance being described as the script and play respectively.
With his lugubrious vocal style, Michaelson may just be the closest we have to a British Leonard Cohen, and Memory’s 7 songs explore how we remember and the influence of the world and the people around us causing us to rewrite our own histories.
Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards are Dan Michaelson (vocals, guitar, piano), Henry Spenner (drums), Laurie Earle (guitar, piano) and Horse (guitar). Joining them on ‘Memory are Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers (bass), Ali Friend (double bass), Gabriel Stebbing (cello), Johnny Flynn (violin and flugelhorn), Jin Theriault (baritone sax), Yusuf Narcin (trombone) and Christo Squire (alto sax).
Full of sparse, yet lush instrumentation, Memory takes the listener on a journey of discovery almost like a movie soundtrack playing in a smokey late night jazz club.
Tides opens the album, with just vocals and piano, before the gorgeous instrumentation washes over the album like the tide from the title. Think Tindersticks or even The Red House Painters if you want a comparison.
Title track Memory is clearly something important to Michaelson as he himself admits to having “almost zero memory”. This is a beautifully simple piano led track, which again builds with the rest of the band but this time taking a more restrained approach.
First track released off the new album is Undo, which is a tale revolving around the regret at not being able to undo words said during the heat of the moment....”if I could take it back, I would take it back, I’d wouldn’t take it out on you.....but you can’t undo”. Gorgeous cello and percussion are all over this track creating an album highlight.
Half The Reason closes the album, comprised almost exclusively of horns and strings, creating one long, last undulating pulse and leaving the listener in a contemplative mood.
This is best listened to as a late night album, accompanied with a good malt whisky and a roaring fire going. It gorgeous, sparse and melancholy - just like some of my favourite albums. An addition of a female vocalist from time to time could soften Michaelsons delivery, but its a small thing, and not a distraction.
8/11
Keith
@kjsmith4082
