Alfie - 'A Word In Your Ear' (Twisted Nerve)
3/5
By: Toby L
Alfie could be perceived as a refined bunch - if you're to take solely their music and interview-quotes into consideration. Despite this, frontman Lee Gorton claims them to be 'a punk band', due to their not sounding like anyone else. Well, one thing's for sure - the last two years in the UK have seen not just excessive press-attention, but also a fair fan-base assembling and, more recently, the signing of a new deal with Parlophone. However, with 'A Word In Your Ear', what is added to the Alfie-legacy that's not already known?
Well, first, let it be stated that listening to Alfie is either one of two things for a potential listener:
A) Uplifting, relaxing and rather soothing.
Or, B) Ploddy, uninspiring and simply the most Grandad-music ever.
Let's assess both views.
The fact is that 'A Word In Your Ear' is a thrillingly sweet and endearing record, with enough choruses and swooping bass-lines to warm the darkest and coolest of hearts. The title-track - also a recent single and opener for the LP - is the perfect entrance into ten tracks of blissful country-lanes and blue skies in the spring-time. There are previous live-favourites contained herein, too, such as the likes of 'Reverse Midas Touch' - as featured on their 'You Make No Bones' single - plus the curiously-named 'Cloudy Lemonade'. The ambience that's created is fulfilling and acutely textured and, by the passing by of its beyond 40 minutes playing-time, there is most certainly a sense of well-being that may sweep over you.
However...
As pleasant as the album is, there may be a great inner-voice that beckons you to think, 'Why don't they just let it go a bit?' What this means is that, sure, it's a harmonious listen, rich with melodies, focused ideas and a coherence other bands would kill for, but it doesn't have any drive, or that energy-kick which allows the songs to collide together and form a set of studio-recordings deemed 'unmissable'.
But, to reserve such judgements for their music would be to miss the point. Alfie write strong, good music for those that aren't into fake pouting and leather-jackets. Most likely, they write music for those inclined towards skill and heart, as opposed to bravado and hype. And, for that, and their compulsion to be themselves - i.e. unique and individual - then they deserve all the attention they get. Hopefully, this LP will help them to gain even more supporters to their cause.
Artists in this article: Alfie
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