Half These Songs Are About You - Nizlopi Album Review

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Album Review

Santa was very good to Nizlopi; he gave them their first number one at Christmas. The British pop scene has regularly had 'freaky' Christmas number ones. None could have been more unexpected than a song about a JCB.

Why it was such a festive hit is way beyond me. For whatever reason, it caught the public's imagination. It appears the timing was perfect, though some clever behind the scenes strategies played a big part in the lead up.

Now comes the album, an 11 tracker full of musical surprises - don't judge this outfit solely on JCB, as quaint as it is. Beginning of December they were 33-1 to make it, and they did. The duo, Luke Concannon (singer and acoustic guitar) and John Parker (upright base, acoustic/electric guitar and banjo) have done things their way, to their credit. They've gigged in living rooms across the country and done the festivals, then by-passing traditional methods of getting a big label behind them by emailing everyone they could - now know as, by 'word of mouse'. Sony/BMG and Warners were after them with big money deals, but 'no thanks' was the response, opting for an independent release.

The single in reality, is the tip of a huge musical iceberg.

Collectively, they've created one of the most complex and expansive compositions this side of Rufus Wainwright's ' Want One' and 'Want Two'.

Their melting pot consists of hip-hop, 21 century folk, jazz and whatever comes to mind. The fusion is frankly mind-blowing, though on first listen is somewhat hard to digest; usually the sign of a good album.

A sharp and 'live' feel prevails throughout, with Concannon's vocals a delight as he tackles the multiple genres. Parker's thumping upright bass steers the rhythm section beautifully, and he's quite handy on the banjo too. In many ways the individual songs are staggering with so much crammed into them. The collection has a genuine homogenous effect, with tracks sitting nicely next to each other. Both take it up and down in equal measure.

Confidence oozes at every point : they're quite fearless it seems, and the net result is a groundbreaking and fascinating album that takes some time to grow on you.

Best bits - Call It Up, Faith, Wash Away, Sing Around it.

Their salad days are well and truly over - the acid test will be 'difficult' album number two. I like what they've done so far.

Elly Roberts