Self-Help Group - Dead Stars

  by Lisa Torem

published: 9 / 11 / 2015

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The Self-Help Group formed in 2009 in Brighton and is comprised of Ian Blisczak, Clara Wood, Sarah Wood, Mark Bruce, Paddy Keeley and Jamie Fewings. They released ‘Not Waving But Drowning’ in 2013 and are back with ‘Dead Stars’. The album is made up of a dozen, straight-ahead songs sweetened by lush harmonies and a driving beat. The band beckons with an easy-going vibe and engages the senses with a bright singability quotient. ‘Dead Stars’ opens with the folksy, charming ‘Myrtle Mae’, which is a great introduction to their ensemble gifts and a fine example of how their harmonies seem to synch up so effortlessly. ‘Smile Club’ has a resounding chorus: “Rise above the rank and file and smile.” ‘Luigi’s Waltz’ has an amazing shuffle beat that draws further attention to the pure vocals. ‘Trieste’ is a more subtle, undulating arrangement and a great platform for Bruce’s acoustic guitar. ‘Eddie’s House’ then rises in tempo and simmers to a slow burn. ‘Broken Arrow’ is more classically country-flavoured and is a terrific contrast. ‘Woody’s Song’ has the feel of an old Irish or Scottish ditty, where a sense of place is paramount. That sense of place transforms the listener immediately: “See the London house rise from the dust again…” Such enchanting lyrics come alongside more strident, risk-taking vocals. ‘Tides’ celebrates nature with an alluring, siren-like theme. As it is smartly but sparsely worded, the droning background really floats to the surface. The curious ‘Quintland’ keeps us on our toes too with its hushed tones and mystical message. Henry Senior’s steel guitar strongly enhances the ‘Birds Still Sing’, supporting its jubilant message and confessional words: “Body fails me/Mind is full of fear.” There’s a slight, totally unexpected Gospel-tinge here too. The velvet strums of ‘The Streak’ triggers another suspenseful surprise with more unpredictable lyrics. Finally, Mark Bruce really speaks his heart on the grand finale, ‘The Box’. The simple title leaves much room for your own interpretation, but if you lean into the haunting lyrics and allow the gorgeous viola to waft over you, you’ll discover that ‘Dead Stars’ will satisfy your soul and lead you to a higher plane.

Track Listing:-

1 Myrtle Mae
2 Smile Club
3 Luigiʼs Waltz
4 Trieste
5 Eddieʼs House
6 Broken Arrow
7 Woodyʼs Song
8 Tides
9 Quintland
10 Birds Still Sing
11 The Streak
12 The Box

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/The-Self-Help-Group-95492973619/
http://www.theselfhelpgroup.com/
https://twitter.com/thegroupies

Label Links:-

https://unionmusicstore.com/
https://twitter.com/unionmusicstore
https://www.facebook.com/unionmusicstore
https://www.pinterest.com/unionmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/user/unionmusicstore

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