Ardentjohn – ‘On The Wire’ (Slow Train)
There’s no shortage of bands that have ended by dissolving into fistfights…but Ardentjohn actually began with a fist fight in an Isle Of Bute Primary school playground. Sorta. Two of the band had a fight as children -then met years later on Princes St, and decided to form a band. (Interestingly, neither the press release nor the myspace reveal who had the fight – clearly this could still cause trouble all these years later).
Now a six piece, this band have put pugilism behind them to produce a debut album that is so lovely, everytime I hear it, I am almost taken aback. Whilst I wouldn’t want to us
e the tag ‘New Fleet Foxes’ there’s a sort of scottish pastoralism throughout this album that makes it a must hear. It doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, attack the listener or cause revolutions (least, not at this pleasant time).
Hell, nice is an adjective that’s used almost as a form of abuse rather than a compliment. So, if I
can’t use ‘nice’ then, your honour, I’d like to describe it as lovely, warm, comfortable
. Opening tracks ‘All That We Need’ ‘Open Road’ along with recent single ‘Home’ make this an album to treasure. Great melodies, no showing off, just a fantastic wee album.
So next time you see two wee laddies fighting it oot, tell them they never know where i
t might lead…
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On the Wire is out now.
Make friends on their myspace page