Loose Salute - Tuned to Love
by Anthony Strutt
published: 9 / 8 / 2008
Label:
Heavenly Recordings
Format: CD
intro
Fine Americana on long awaited debut album from the Loose Salute, the side project of Mojave 3 drummer, Ian McCutcheon
‘Tuned to Love’ is the debut album of the Loose Salute, Mojave 3 drummer Ian McCutcheon’s side project, and follows on from their first EP of three years ago, ‘Suck It Up, Buttercup'. It is the first new release by a member of Mojave 3 for a few years, although vocalist Neil Halstead also has a second solo album out shortly on Island entitled ‘Oh, Mighty Engine’. ‘Death Club’ opens the album and is light and fluffy, with a classic 1960’s Beach Boys vibe. It is a song full of summer vibes and with a nice banjo beat. ‘Photographs and Tickets’ has more of a folk sound. Keyboardist and percussionist Lisa Billson takes over from Ian on vocals and it has a happy festival, toe tapping sound. The lead break is on trumpet giving it a Mexican-style Love and ‘Forever Changes’ atmosphere. ‘From Head to Sandy Toes’ has a pub/country rock sound. It features some lush Bangles-style backing vocals from Lisa, and is a song to sway along to with a full pint in your hand and summer skies in your heart. ‘The Mutineer’ is softly sung by Ian, who sounds exactly like Neil Halstead in his delivery, and it recalls Mojave 3 at their best. ‘Turn the Radio On’ was a single and it has a Byrds style jingle and vocals which sound like those of a happy Karen Carpenter. ‘Why'd We Fight’ is a sad country blues number, a true heartbreaker, and an album highlight, while ‘Ballad of the Dumb Angel’ again recollects Mojave 3 and features some strong acoustic guitar work. ‘Through the Stratosphere to the Bars’ has a Saturday night country rock party feel, while the title track, ‘Tuned to Love’, sounds like a country version of T.Rex with added soft vibes and which features a stand-up bass. ‘Cold Water’ is a very relaxed and chilled out number, while ‘Ship on the Ocean’, which closes this album, is a very sad tale with a pace similar to ‘Space Oddity’.It has a backing that sounds like a combination of mid 70’s rock and Mojave 3 at their most commanding. A very fine album indeed.
Track Listing:-
1 Deathclub2 Photographs And Tickets
3 From Head To Sandy Toes
4 The Mutineer
5 Turn The Radio Up
6 Why'd We Fight
7 Ballad Of The Dumb Angel
8 Through The Stratosphere To The Bars
9 Tuned To Love
10 Cold Water
11 Ship On The Ocean
Label Links:-
http://www.heavenlyrecordings.com/https://www.facebook.com/HeavenlyRecordings
https://twitter.com/heavenlyrecs
https://www.youtube.com/user/HeavenlyRecordings
http://heavenlyrecordings.com/emporium/
https://plus.google.com/112376981607361996973
interviews |
Interview with Ian McCutcheon (2005) |
Loose Salute is the new project of Slowdive and Mojave drummer Ian McCutcheon. He speaks to Anthony Strutt about its conception and 'Suck It Up, Buttercup', the band's debut EP |
reviews |
Getting Over Being Under (2011) |
Excellent second album from Mojave 3 drummer Ian McCutcheon's side project Loose Saulte, which finds them moving away from their 70's country-based roots and into summery pop |
Suck It Up Buttercup (2004) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Ty Segall - Three Bells
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