Champions of the World in Brisbane Times
Thursday, 22nd April 2010
WHAT do we mean when we talk about warmth in records? Sometimes it's hard to say without gibbering or getting all mystical because it is, as Tiriel Mora's lawyer in The Castle would no doubt say, more ''the vibe''. But with albums from Englishman Danny George Wilson, it's actually easier than you think. The warmth here is of a bloke who genuinely loves being with friends who aren't looking to do anything but play for pleasure; who draws on family both close and long term (one song is addressed to his brother in such intimate terms, you can almost smell them as teenagers) but who gives back at least as much as he takes. This is Wilson's second album with his amusingly named cohort. But unlike its self-titled predecessor's strong strain of English folk, Streets of Our Time is heavily weighted to country rock. There's the expected wistful strain of the genre, with pedal steel and gorgeous harmonies afoot, the bustling flipside with banjo and busy acoustic guitars, but also a Springsteen-style mover to be sung with your arms around your besties. The beautifully written songs feel good. Cared for. Shared. That is, warm.www.brisbanetimes.com.au
“there’s always been a sense of a tasteful restraint to the studio albums but unleashed on stage with their raspy vocals and heartland rock and soul, they’re like a power station on steroids.”
“This is a proper old school live album, makes you want to go to a gig”
ROBERT ELMS, BBC LONDON
“songs like This Is Not a Love Song and and Stay True which come at you one after the other; are destined to make ‘new fans’ wonder why these kids aren’t topping the bill at Glastonbury with their magic formula and bittersweet songs.”
THE ROCKING MAGPIE