Foghorn Leghorn - Not Before Time
by Cila Warncke
published: 15 / 8 / 2013
![Foghorn Leghorn - Not Before Time](/images/Sleeves/SlvWebP800/18548.webp)
Label:
Slammer Records
Format: CD
intro
Disconcerting but highly impressive combination of bluegrass, Americana and old-fashioned country on fourth album from veteran Clerkenwell-based group, Foghorn Leghorn
There is something a bit disconcerting about proper, old-fashioned, whisky-in-the-jar bluegrass straight out of Clerkenwell. But that is exactly what you get on ‘Not Before Time’ the fourth album released by London outfit Foghorn Leghorn in the course of their 21-year career. Forget for a moment the London connection; this is as juicy and satisfying a jaunt through the musical traditions of rural America as you’re likely to find. Listen closely and you’ll hear fiddle, mandolin and plenty of finger-flying guitar picking. Lyrically, ‘Runner Up’ does a fine job recounting the tale of a woman who is inexorably drawn to the “lights of town” leaving the lovelorn troubadour the “runner up in love’s cruel game.” There are plenty more tales of love gone wrong, notably ‘Either Or’ which cries, “the more you love/ the more you’re alone.” Elsewhere, ‘My Lord’ is either a deeply religious song, or a semi-blasphemous ode to romance – personally, I hope it’s the latter. Completing the triumvirate of thematic touch-points (sex, God and death) is ‘Smoking Gun’ a ferociously catchy murder ballad that serves up a messy dish of betrayal and brutality. Foghorn Leghorn saves the best for last though with the moving, hymn-like ‘Brother O Brother’, whose stately pace does a lot to offset the sometimes frenetic fretwork in tunes like ‘Nobody Knows’. ‘Not Before Time’ is admirably, unabashedly niche and a winning testament to the skills of a band that has honed its craft over two decades of hard gigging. Aficionados of bluegrass, Americana and old-fashioned country will revel in the virtuoso musicality and the deft lyrics. Hopefully it will inspire a new audience to see Foghorn Leghorn live on their every-second-Thursday-of-the-month residency at London’s Betsy Trotswood pub because this is music best experienced with a jar of bourbon in one hand and a sweaty grip on your gal, or guy, with the other.
Track Listing:-
1 Pizza Boy2 Tube Trains
3 Runner Up
4 Either Or
5 Shut Your Face
6 Petersburg Gal
7 My Lord
8 Boy In The Machine
9 Smoking Gun
10 Madeleine
11 Nobody Knows
12 Brother O Brother
Band Links:-
http://www.foghornleghornmusic.com/index.htmlsoundcloud
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
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
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
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
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