The Nightingales - Insult to Injury

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5...according to our Brian on Fri 27 Feb, 2009.

Well well well, i'm proper late for work, horrible hangover blah blah blah. What better a band to empathise with my the tedious trail-off from my grating indulgence than Nightingales and their fabulous new Faust produced album' 'Insult to Injury'. Basically the Brummie Fall with added adrenaline & balls made of granite, these legendary off-kilter torchbearers of the grumblerock scene have gone & done it again. Opening with an accordian led assault on the senses 'I am Grimaldi', with Robert Lloyd's deep brand of poetic melancholia striking deep, it moves onto a freewheeling desert rock skronk worthy of The Magic Band's finest moments. Not often do I hear men in the prime of their life deliver such an astonishing, exciting brand of tight, chaotic rock as this. I think an important factor in their powerful sound is the constantly inventive drummer, a national treasure. His beats roll like rhythmic thunder, dynamic but loose, the guitars are often caustic but melodic, searching for new areas to breath life into, the bass just rumbles & purrs like a lion, underpinning a vital, full throated take on classic alternative rock. They do some more downtempo numbers that sound slightly along the lines of a less orchestrated, punchier take on that wonderful early Tindersticks vibe. They don't sound quite as "indie" anymore, like they're old masters that have naturally outgrown their awkward outsider status. Some have accused Lloyd of being too "wordy" in the past and smothering the music. I totally digress. This growling, tight, vital band have so much going on in their hugely layered tunes that no other vocalist would touch the spot. This is the sound of middle aged men showing all these shallow young pups JUST how it's done. Words can not do this new collection justice. They plainly rule the roost & i'm so chuffed they're part of my life. Sadly CD only but it's in a nice tri-fold digipak. Take a chance on them if you ain't been there before. You'll not be disapointed, I ASSURE you!

The Nightingales were formed by former members of Birmingham, England's original punk group The Prefects. With an ever fluctuating line-up based around lyricist/singer Robert Lloyd, the band recorded a bunch of critically acclaimed singles and three albums, plus many radio sessions for John Peel. They also regularly toured the UK and Northern Europe as headliners and supporting acts as diverse as Bo Diddley and Nico, before splitting up in the late 80's. The Nightingales reformed infrequently before kicking off again in earnest in Spring 2004 with Lloyd being joined by original Prefect Alan Apperley. After fucking about with various wastrels, precious sorts and mercenaries (plus teen guitar sensation Matt Wood and Volcano Bear's Aaron Moore) the groups current line-up features Lloyd, Apperley, ex Pram drummer Daren Garratt, guitarist Christine Edwards (from Christy and Emily) and Andreas Schmid (from Faust Studio) on bass. Since reforming the group have been more productive than ever – releasing five 7” vinyl singles and three albums, touring the UK, mainland europe and the United States several times and recording numerous radio sessions in England and America. In March 08 the group recorded a new album 'Insult to Injury' with Hans Joachim Irmler of Faust. This record, the 'Gales best yet, will be released in February 2009 on Klangbad and will be their fourth album in the last couple of years.

1. I am Grimaldi
2. Old fruit
3. Doubly whammy bar
4. Brownhills united's tattooed southpaw
5. Little lambs
6. Kirklees ken
7. Big bones
8. Crap lech
9. Former florist to the queen
10. The kiss of life
11. Down with the blue lobsters
12. Watch your posture

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