Singing Loins - House in the Woods
by Malcolm Carter
published: 1 / 8 / 2011
Label:
Vacilando '68
Format: 7"
intro
Insanely catchy double A-sided vinyl only single from Medway-based punk/folk band, the Singing Loins
After a dozen or so albums the Singing Loins, who hail from the Medway Delta, are still unknown to many music lovers. I confess that the band were a new name to this scribe before their new double A-side 7” single landed on my doormat. It appears that founder members Chris ‘Brod’ Broderick (who vocally, on these songs at least, makes a case for being the best English vocalist in any of the bands mining that same punk/folk/rock seam) and guitarist Chris ‘Arfur’ Allen have now recruited two new members in the shape of Rob Shepherd, whose banjo is all over both of these songs, and John Forrester on double bass. I’m not sure how long this line-up has been together but it sounds like they were born to be in the same band. The feeling that these guys are so obviously enjoying playing together shines through every second of this 45. The sound the Singing Loins make is nothing new. With that amount of albums behind them, some must be cut from the same cloth as this single as both songs are revamps of tunes that the guys have recorded before. They are certainly as well not the only band mixing up punk and folk, and turning the resulting ramshackle sound into something which grabs your attention. But these songs are insanely catchy. Broderick’s vocals hit you the moment he opens his mouth to sing. Shane MacGowan and both Mick Jones and Joe Strummer instantly come to mind, while the sound of Shepherd’s banjo and an accordion playing gently in the background give ‘House In The Woods’ instant appeal. Broderick’s ode for a simpler life will not only raise a smile or two but will have you singing along by the end of the first verse. “Time for sitting/Time for loving/Time aplenty for doing nothing/One pair of boots for work and walking/Dust them off when I go a-courting,” Broderick will paint pictures in your mind as the song unfolds. It’s a little gem of a song and will rattle around in your head all day long. ‘Ain’t The World A Lovely Place’ is a little more raucous in places than the previous song but none the worse for that. Again the chorus will have you singing along in no time at all, and will leave you longing to catch this band live at a gig somewhere. Neither ‘House In The Woods’ or ‘Ain’t The World A Lovely Place’ are featured on The Loins latest album, Stuff’, which was released earlier this year, so their fans will naturally want this single, but it also serves as a brilliant introduction to the music of the Singing Loins who are giving folk music the kick up the backside it so often needs to make it more appealing. Now to check out that back catalogue…
Track Listing:-
1 House In The Woods2 Ain't The World A Lovely Place
3 Since You Were My Girl (Live)
4 Cunny Anne (demo)
Label Links:-
http://www.vacilando68.org/https://www.facebook.com/Vacilando68
reviews |
...Here on Earth (2012) |
Ballsy folk punk from the world’s self-confessed, longest serving amateur band, the Singing Loins |
Authentic Raw Folk from the Midway Delta (2010) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
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