Randolph’s Leap - Spirit Level
by Kimberly Bright
published: 8 / 3 / 2021
Label:
Fika Recordings
Format: CD
intro
Scottish folk-pop collective Randolph's Leap’s new album is full of catchy melodies and sunny skies
'Spirit Level', the new album from Glasgow eight-piece indie folk-pop band Randolph’s Leap, was a real mood-lifter when there was ten inches of snow on the ground a week ago. Its ten tracks feature heavily accented sunshine, punchy pop, humour, and friendliness without falling into tweeness. There are a few hints at darker feelings ('Up in Smoke', 'Too Good') but no sign of misanthropy anywhere. Cheerful stuff from a band whose name comes from a spot on the River Findhorn in Moray and a violent medieval noble family feud. Frontman and main songwriter Adam Ross has been compared frequently to the Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon, but he also resembles a more soulful Jonathan Richman. His attitude and delivery are unflinchingly honest, if sometimes bewildered and wistful. He just comes off as likeable. On many of the songs there is upbeat ‘80s synth-pop with what sounds old-school MIDI files ('BMH'), quiet folk ('Ghost'), sometimes juxtaposed with incredibly well-placed brass ('Moment Passed', 'Punchbag', 'Helluva Summer'), as if a mariachi band suddenly showed up. Instead of being a jarring musical combination, it totally works. Whatever anxiety the band may have been experiencing while putting the album together last year, none of it is evident here. 'Serious' is about a childhood friend who has become unbelievably boring since reaching adulthood and needs to be reminded about how much fun they used to have. On 'Helluva Summer, a bittersweet song about a long-distance love, Ross sings, “It’s been a helluva summer/And it’s only mid-May” and declares his desire to do nothing but “lie in the sun, watch the traffic, and wait for you to come home.” 'Spirit Level' is perfect listening for spring and summer’s lengthening days. It places Randolph’s Leap among the best in the pantheon of Scottish indie pop.
Track Listing:-
1 Moment Passed2 BMH
3 Let This Lie
4 Serious
5 Ghost
6 Up In Smoke
7 Punchbag
8 Helluva Summer
9 Lungs
10 Too Good
Label Links:-
http://fikarecordings.com/https://www.facebook.com/fikarecordings
https://twitter.com/fikarecordings
http://www.last.fm/label/Fika+Recordings
https://www.youtube.com/user/fikarecordings
bandcamp
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