Two Wings - A Wake (Tin Angel Records)
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| Two Wings - A Wake |
Release Date: 14th April 2014
Scottish combo Two Wings have
their second album coming out on Tin Angel Records and for anyone who is a fan
of Fleetwood Mac or Kate Bush then this is very good news. Opener 'Fear' is
like Bush bringing the impish guest vocals to a Mac track while 'Adieu' is full
on 80s pomp with tinges of folk and rock. When 'Loveless' slowly awakens from
an ageless slumber to tell of medieval heroics, you know these guys and gals
ain't just peddling the same old tripe. In fact, the Glaswegian quintet have a
particularly unique sound, typified by the vocals of the eccentric Hanna
Tuulikki. Peel back a layer though and you will find a band full of musical
talent weaving Celctic melodies, folk rhythms, rock riffs and pop harmonies in to
one heck of a rich tapestry. 'We Can Show You More' is a full on prog anthem in
the vein of Yes or Marillion which might not sound 'cool' or 'cutting edge' but
there is something incredibly exciting in discovering that there are pockets of
this long lost art form still in existence - a bit like those folk keeping the
Cornish language alive or people who still insist on listening to all their
music on tapes they got from the library.
Roughly half way through this
album we get to 'Stranger' which is 99% Kate Bush and I think there is a strong
call for these guys to be the support act at the first lady of eccentro-pop's forthcoming
Hammersmith residency. But wait, what's this? A country ballad? Yep indeedy,
just when you think you've got these guys pegged they come up with a song like
'A Wake To The Dream' which could be sung in the scorching mid-west or a dingy
Dublin bar over a slightly out of tune piano. 'You Give Me Love' kicks off with
a bit flute action which is always a welcome treat before settling in to a
gentle country twang where organs and guitar provide a cosy arm chair for the
song to tell its story from. 'Go To Sleep' finishes off the album with a
gentle, lullaby of a song that has its roots in country music but the layers of
horns give it a formal dance feel that makes you want to take a spin around the
floor with your best gal or guy. Two Wings have not created a new genre here
but what they do is done by so few other artists that this is worth sitting up
and paying attention to - and very few other artists do it this well.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/twowings/
Live Dates:
29th May - Castle Hotel, Manchester
31st May - Sebright Arms, London