Ray Rumours - Le Pont Suspendu

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4...according to our Business Lady on Wed 18 Mar, 2009.

As you may or may not know, Ros Murray plays the bass guitar in Electrelane but it would seem that she also keeps herself busy with solo material under the guise of Ray Rumours. 'Le Pont Suspendu' also sees her joined by a motley bunch of local super-musicians and friends collectively know as The No-Eyed Deers, which is right cheeky play on words, innit. This is essential listening for those who enjoy their music with tea and cake. Yes!!! Its twee-core!!! And very pleasant it is too. Tracks vary from solo acoustic guitar and vocal efforts to full band compositions with additional musical assistance provided by ukulele, trumpet, melodica and a cardboard drumkit. 'Le Pont Suspendu' is filled with the kind of character and charm that you'd expect from a proper lo-fi record. There are plenty of found sounds from local rivers and rural landscapes, giggling band members and passing cars, which only enhance its tweeness and makes me wanna call dibs on that last piece of sponge cake. A record for those of you who enjoy bitter sweet tales of seasons passed, sentiments forgotten and half forgotten friends and memories.

stitch014 — CD, 2009

   1. Chaussures
   2. Meaningless Words
   3. Nightbus
   4. The Turtle
   5. Berlin to Poznan
   6. Au Bord de la Mer
   7. Snowman
   8. Puddles and Rain
   9. Ghosts
10. October
11. Winter Coat
12. Looking For You
13. Night Time on the Beach in Sydney

Enchanting and diverse, the new album by Ray Rumours is a touching and personal capture of the songs and memories of the winter of 2007 and spring of 2008. Much of the album was recorded in one week at a friend's house in St Martin d'Ardeche, and takes its name from the suspension bridge that spans the Ardeche river.

Using only acoustic instruments, including a grand piano and a cardboard drum kit, Le Pont Suspendu is unpretentious and nostalgic in its sound, even for those not present for its recording. The songs are anecdotal, referring to past travels, seasons and sentiments, and through them we hear themes of loss: half-forgotten friends, disappearing memories, missed chances and bitter rejections.

Personalities from the recordings surround the songs: an underwater trumpeter, laughing backing singers, footsteps clattering down the stairs and the shredding of a newspaper mid-song. The climax comes with a new interpretation of an old song from the first Ray Rumours album, Looking For You. As the rich layers of sound fade away, the river