Capturing an essence of vintage rock, Free meets The Beatles, Blake’s new album ‘Plainsong’ feels like a journey into the past but with a fresh face, riding the current wave of 70s rock resurgence with consummate and cohesive ease.
Also taking a retro approach to the recording process, Blake explains: “I wanted to record this L.P. on analogue tape without endless overdubs, like the recordings of the sixties, hence the title, ‘Plainsongs’. The aim was to capture the energy of the songs that I had been performing live with my band before we came into the studio. Musically and lyrically, the songs reflect the influences of the pre-digital era, too.”
Clean a boxy throughout, Blake doesn’t rely on lavish over production or cinematic soundscapes, the album instead is built around overlapping guitar lines, tight drums and bass, and Blakes ever emotive and charismatic lead vocal (adorned with the odd plash of organ and guitar solo for good measure). From summery, psychedelic-rock tinted moments such as ‘Hideaway’ and ‘Make Love Not War’ to more obvious rock such as ‘I’m The One’ and ‘Out Of Reach’ the vast songwriting across the album is allowed to shine.
A tight exploration of vintage recording methods and classic rock sounds, the new album ‘Plainsongs’ is out now.
Listen below:
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