There are a few artists capable of creating music of vitriol and might, who can also turn their hand to writing quieter reflective music that aims for the heart. Emma Ruth Rundle’s noisier work as part of Red Sparowes, Marriages and collaborative work with the likes of Thou contrasts with her quieter solo output. Emma has a kindred spirit in one Stephen Brodsky. As part of the brilliant Cave In his rich voice adds a warm dimension to their uncompromising sound. His solo acoustic work accentuates his way with melody. With his longtime friend Mike Law (Wild Arrows), the pair create acoustic driven music as New Idea Society. For once, Fire On The Hill is an album with love at its core, and it shows as every song drips with emotion and a zest for making the listener feel good.
Opener ‘Sharing Arrows’ has a country vibe to it with a boot stomp clanking percussion and a cowboy-tinged guitar twang. Brodsky’s vocal melody wraps around the gorgeous instrumentation and his falsetto shimmers beautifully. The opening and recurring swirling tones to ‘Giant Sky Wheel’ are just jaw dropping, with a beautiful guitar tone. Mike and Stephen swap vocal duties laying out wondrous melodies. Mike pulls at the heart strings with a sweet, beautiful melody over the futuristic synth hum that opens the stunning ‘Nightbirds’. The harmonies throughout are sumptuous and the instrumentation is widescreen and richly layered.
‘Lantern’ sounds raucous compared to the previous tracks with a storming guitar pulse where you can actually feel the body of the guitar reverberate. Wood flutes add an eery veneer to the song as it winds to a close. Album highlight ‘Dancing Horse’ really hits you in the feels with an absolutely stunning melody and exquisite warm guitar tones. Stephen’s vocals are strong and pure, pouring emotion into every word. The gorgeous ‘Before Morning’ floats in from the sky swirling round you with an ethereal beauty, back tracked guitars and atmospherics abound. Then the wonderful melody and searing guitars of ‘When Morning Comes’ reaches out to give you a warm embrace. It’s truly a special moment to enjoy as hook after hook roll out, you don’t want the song to end.
‘High And Blue’ has a dreamy quality to it as Stephen’s voice soars over the atmospheric layered tones. Mike sounds like a ghost as his voice rises from the ether. The sweet ‘Ladybug Lay’ closes this wonderful album with a striking melody and some lovely instrumentation that reaches new heights with detail and beauty.
I’ve kept some previous New Idea Society songs as a playlist for years, always wondering if there would ever be more music from them. This album appeared out of nowhere and it has really captivated me over the last few days. Stephen Brodsky just has the ability to make music that gives me a fizzy feeling in my stomach. I can’t put my finger on what it is about his voice and guitar tones, but it sure hits the spot. Fire On The Hill is a wondrous little cracker of an album with some beautiful arrangements and stunning melodies.
