By Geoff Topley
Everything happens for a reason; the motto by which I live my life. We all make decisions on a daily basis and sometimes big and brave decisions have to be made. There's no doubt that it was an extremely brave decision when Tony Wright, aka VerseChorusVerse decided to leave And So I Watch You From Afar just as things were really beginning to take off for the band. The overcoming urge to throw down the electric guitar and pick up 'stringface', his beloved acoustic guitar has resulted in this debut album, also entitled VerseChorusVerse.
Having spent the best part of 6 years creating stunning instrumental rock music, Tony has changed vision and sound to enter the realms of the singer/songwriter. The go-to guy for acoustic rock production duties, fellow Northern Irishman Iain Archer ably helps out with creating a very fine and assured collection. I should also mention that this album has made its way into the word because Tony's friends/fans wanted it to be there, he used a pledge system that even included booking him to play a gig for you. It's not every artist that sends you the CD with a handwritten thank you note.
We all got a hint of what VerseChorusVerse would sound like when Tony released a four track EP last year. The melodic acoustic driven tunes were far removed from his previous recorded output. An almost nervous fragility came through in the vocal delivery, something I think Tony has improved remarkably on with the album. This merely adds to the impassioned and open hearted words he sings so eloquently. There's a lyric sheet with the CD, but you don't need one, such is the clarity in Tony's voice.
The album kicks off with the jaunty 'Our Truth Could Be Their Lie' which includes some excellent brass supplied by Mariachi El Bronx. Just one of many earworms on the album, Tony has certainly got a way with the tunes. 'No More Years' maintains the quick tempo declaring defiantly that we "won't go back to year zero", one of many tracks to feature some storming bluesy harmonica wailing. You can tell how these songs have been crafted, played many times over (Tony isn't averse to busking) and then given a new lease of life in a proper studio. 'Help Myself' is a heart-warming ballad with lovely backing vocals from Katie Richardson and gorgeous pedal steel from Stuart Bell. Unable to completely escape his past, the wee instrumental tagged onto the end of the track is a welcome and beautiful thing.
The real stand-out track on the album is 'We Spoke With The Night', the strong melodies and conviction in the playing propelling the song along until the rocking mid-section, the only track to feature heavier guitars. There's a wondrous string embellishment throughout and given the right assistance, could be the song to get Tony into the mainstream.
Another stand-out and extremely affecting song is 'Three', a haunting and emotive song that can only be about the circumstances of the aforementioned departure. Lyrically, this song is just so heart-wrenching, open, honest and delivered with such emotion that I have to say caused me to fill up, even after multiple listens. Knowing how much being part of (a brotherly collective such as) ASIWYFA meant to Tony, this song is another very brave thing to do.
After such soul baring and introspection, the best way to engage the light again is in the form of 'Big Red Van', a swaggering bluesy romp resplendent with wailing harmonica. This is followed up with another spirited Dylan-esque ripsnorter in the form of 'You Can't Win Back Your Freedom'. 'Common Prayer' is a stripped down acoustic lament that would be a killer Mark Lanegan tune and 'Close Your Eyes, Fall Asleep' has the kind of joyous choral ending that Jason Pierce would employ to ease us on our way.
This album is the work of a man who has taken some risks along the way, never being afraid to give his everything in the pursuit of achieving his ambitions. Good artists deserve your attention, good people deserve to get their rewards, the voiceless has finally found his voice, you just have to listen.
