Noonday Underground - On the Freedom Flotilla
by Anthony Strutt
published: 24 / 1 / 2007

Label:
Setanta
Format: CD
intro
60's inspired pop on third album from the Noondasy Underground, which was formed out of the backing band of Adventures in Stereo, James Beattie's post Primal Scream project
'On the Freedom Flotilla' is the third CD album from Noonday Underground, the band that formed out of the backing band of Adventures in Stereo, James Beattie's post Primal Scream project. Noonday Underground's songwriter and main instrumentalist is Simon Dine, who is assisted by singer Daisy Martey, whom has since worked with Morcheeba.The whole album was recorded over two sessions at Ray Davies' studio. It starts off with 'Silly Games', which has a hippy attitude and features some pleasant guitar. 'You Keep Me Holding On' has a party vibe to it and features some strong Ravi Shankar style grooves to it later on, while 'Come On, Come On' has a retro sound and dubby 60' style beats. 'She Knows' is a song about onions, with a Portishead beat and acoustic rhythm guitars. The whole track is flavoured with samples. 'Put You Back Together' has a 60's folk beat and another flower power vibe. 'It's Alright' is moody with a Cure style bass before a dance pattern takes over. Daisy's vocal recalls Beth Orton but with 'The Avengers' orchestra backing it, giving the whole song a big screen, cinematic feel. 'The title track is very modern in its sound and has ska snippets. 'Goodbye to You' again recalls Beth, while 'When the Rock's Start Falling' is very 60's in sound and features some mid era Beatles style guitar. 'The Love is Gone' is a folk guitar rock number, while 'Your Now Gone Blues' is somewhat frantic,and sounds like a cross between Love and Fairground Attraction.
Track Listing:-
1 Gone Now Blues2 Come One Come All
3 Goodbye to You
4 Silly Games
5 You Keep Holding On
6 She Knows
7 Put You Back Together
8 It's Alright
9 The Freedom Flotilla
10 When the Rocks Start Falling
11 The Love Is Gone
12 In the Meadow (Bonus Track)
13 Apocalypso (Bonus Track)
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart