It's 2014 and the British music scene is in a bad place however the sussed youth keep bringing us good music which is a far cry from the shite that gets radio play these days! The likes of The Spitfires, Blossoms, The Sherlocks and The Turning are all keeping the faith supplying the cool cats with good, tuneful music! So for this feature I'm going to talk you through The Turnings latest release a 9 track Mini album entitled 'Settle For That' and what a good little LP it is!
Track 1: Settle For That
The album title and a great little tune to start the LP off with! Bouncy chords and sharp lyrics open this tune, it takes you back to the cool sounds of the sixties sounding very much like a compilation of early Who, Kinks and the Animals. Very joyful and upbeat this track makes you want to don your best gear and hit the town with your mates. This is the type of track that will make a whole rooms ears stand to attention, great piece to start the album with! Top job lads!
Track 2: You Make Me Take The Weight
Love this one, very relaxed sixties feel the undertones of the track sound very psychedelic and chilled. The funky bassline adds to the tracks feel and the lyrics cut through you, making you listen. A lovely devised guitar solo halfway though adds that seventies punk feel to the tune, giving it a well rounded sound.
Track 3: You Think You're Better
Proper cool tune, I can imagine scooters on the moors riding along with this as their accompaniment. Smart lyrics and nice riffs allow this tune to shine and this is certainly one of my favourites from the album. McLaughlin's vocals stand out throughout this one and carry it home. Great song!
Track 4: How To Play The Game
Chaotic guitar opens this one, it sounds similar to a Strypes tune a band they have toured with! The percussion sounds excellent here and really adds to the pristine guitar playing. The song carries a really catchy chorus and sticks in your mind. Its a really groovy 60's tune with loads of bite and style something the majority of current music has not got at all!
Track 5: I'm Out
A nice section of harmonica accompanies the lads guitars here. A really belting 60's esque Brit Beat track, which echoes back to the times when music really was great! This band are very tight which is something you can tell from these tracks and in this one especially, an exceptional group of musicians! Catchy chorus again and cool lyrics are embedded throughout this tune. A spiraling guitar riff brings the track to a close.
Track 6: Shake
This tune means business with a chorus effect "SHAKE" being shouted by the band to start us off this echoes throughout the track! A really bouncy, chaotic sixties tune! Imagine the scene from 'Quadrophenia' when Jimmy puts 'My Generation' on at the house party, its that type of song to get a room going! Some harmonica is thrown in there too for good measure. Overall a good addition to the album and a very well rounded track!
Track 7: Stand Clear Of My Mind
Choppy rhythms and a real night out vibe put this tune as one of my clear favourites of the album! Quality track, you can hear the likes of The Beatles, The Jam and even Franz Ferdinand in this one. This is an easy tune to stick on and will definitely get peoples feet tapping. I am definitely going to look at popping this one into one of my DJ sets!
Track 8: I Don't Wanna Do That
Good use of percussion here, real fast faced punk esque track. Nice sounds flow throughout reminds me of a Squeeze track, a bit new wavey and a good change from the other more sixties tracks on the album. Yet another good song, loving the album as a whole!
Track 9: Le Responsible
What a song this is! Always good to throw a cover in there and the Jacques Dutronc original is a perfect way to see the album out. Also covered by Miles Kane on his 'Come Closer' EP from 2011 its cool to see the many forms and styles this song can take and The Turning give it their own personal twist! A class sixties track with real modernist roots and edge a great way to close an album.
Overall this is a superb little album! I'm looking forward to hearing more from the West London quartet and i'm sure they'll gigging extensively soon. I'll certainly be trying to persuade them to gig near me! Keep an eye and an ear on these chaps, 2015 will be a huge year for them!
