Lupen Crook - The Pros and Cons of Eating Out

by Jamie Rowland

published: 11 / 10 / 2010

Lupen Crook - The Pros and Cons of Eating Out

Label: Beast Reality
Format: CD

intro

Bewildering, but effortlessly brilliant combination of folk, punk, pop and new wave on third album from original-minded Medway-based singer-songwriter, Lupen Crook, and his band the Murderbirds

'The Pros and Cons of Eating Out' is technically only the third album from Medway’s Lupen Crook, but in between this and his previous LPs (2006’s 'Accidents Occur Whilst Sleeping' and 2008’s 'Iscariot the Ladder') our man Mr Crook has released a number of singles, EPs, compilations and demos, as well as starting his own label, Beast Reality, in 2008. One of the things I like about Lupen Crook – aside from his music, which I like very much – is his decision to move away from the indie poster-boy the likes of the 'NME' were looking to make out of him back in 2005 (he made the ‘Cool List’ a few years back, don’t you know) and create his own niche in the musical landscape, pumping out songs seemingly effortlessly, with EPs and singles popping up regularly, new batches of his unusual and idiosyncratic songs, each batch more impressive than the last. 'The Pros and Cons...' is no exception to that – this is another example of Crook’s bewildering talent as a songwriter, as well as the close relationship he obviously has with his band, The Murderbirds, whose backing brings these songs to another level, giving them a real fullness and depth. Somewhere between folk, punk, pop, new wave and who knows what else, listening to a Lupen Crook record is always an adventure, and this one has all the thrills and spills one could hope for. If you’ve not heard his stuff before, do yourself a favour and check out this record, then go back to the beginning and get all the rest. You’ll thank me for it.

Track Listing:-

1 Fantasist in March
2 Will O the Wisp
3 Sleeping Lions
4 Dorothy Deserves
5 World's End
6 Devil's Son
7 Lest We Connect (The Crooked Family)
8 Scissor Kick
9 Pirate's Wife
10 How to Murder Birds
11 Hour Glass
12 Ode to Fucking Everyone

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/lupencrook
https://lupencrooks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrLUPENCROOK
https://twitter.com/lupencrook

interviews

Interview (2006)

Chatham-based singer-songwriter Lupen Crook has been attracting increasing interest from the music press. With his debut album 'Accident Occurs Whilst Sleeping' just out, he speaks to Jamie Rowland abouts its recording

live reviews

Spitz, London, 20/9/2006

One of the most exciting new acts in the UK, Jamie Rowland watches Lupen Crook and his band the Murderbirds play an electric-sounding set as part of the Spitz's Festival of Folk in London

Social, London, 7/5/2005