Like the strange, mystical creatures that live at the bottom of gardens, usually enclosed by walls and a brooding house, The Smoke Fairies invite you into a world of mystery and secrets. Well, at least that is what their name and music implies. In reality, ‘Blood Speak’s is an open letter to the gothic side of the 1980’s where sixth form sweethearts carve each other’s names on pencil cases whilst brooding over what type of eyeliner to wear.
At least that’s the impression I got on first listen. Perhaps the early morning rush to work wasn’t the best time to listen so in fairness I retreated to a candlelit room and put on my best black t-shirt and hit play once again.
What happened was a complete surprise. The swirling, evocative music wrapped its warm embrace around me and the, at first, mixed dichotomy of vocal styles, all started to make sense. This is a work that need to be savoured like fine wine. From the opening almost goth pop of ‘Let Me Know’, there is a surety in their delivery that will not be rushed into making any bold statements.
‘The Three of Us’ is the moment when Smoke Fairies come to life with a rather marvellous slide guitar leading the charge. This is followed by the almost medieval sway of ‘Daylight’ and this is where the album starts to show its failings. As nice as the music is, and the playing is sublime at times, it can all get a bit twee at times. Kate Bush is written large on the sleeves of Smoke Fairies but instead of attempting to use this to an advantage they simply drop into parody and start to resemble, dare I say, All About Eve.
Title track ‘Blood Speaks’ is a morose, brooding epic which relies purely on vocal delivery with only the slight shuffle of drums to invade the calm whilst ‘Take Me Down When You Go’ is almost Americana with its southern style guitars and sassy singing. This then signals a rather dull patch on the album as Smoke Fairies seem to run out of ideas. In an effort to regain some control they then seem to slip into clichés which can inevitably only lead to Shakespeare’s Sister comparisons.
Many people will love this album, it does have its moments of excellence and it is unassuming in its approach. Its downfall is its attempt to be so serious and earnest. It is a fine line when dealing with this approach and a slight fall can result in those sixth form poems our earlier protagonists probably wrote to each other. If you like this sort of thing then you will enjoy ‘Blood Speaks’, if you don’t then steer well clear. I’m on the fence and will probably wittle the album down to three or four tracks of great promise.
Out now on V2 Records.
Posted by Martyn Coppack.
