Black Hearted Brother - Stars Are Our Home

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 16 / 11 / 2013

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Review

Black Hearted Brother is a new band that consists of Neil Halstead, Mark Van Hoen and Nick Holton. Neil Halstead, who is from Reading, fronted influential shoegazing band Slowdive then Americana act Mojave 3, before starting initially in conjunction with Mojave 3 a solo career, which he carried on with when Mojave 3 were not able to carry on due to the group's other singer Rachel Goswell damaging her ear drum. That said, however, Halstead and Goswell were both reunited recently for a new live album to be released by Sonic Cathedral some time in the future, which saw them revisit two Slowdive numbers and more than a handful of Mojave 3 tunes. Mark Van Hoen was an original member of Seefeel, a Leicester band, who had a very similar sound to that of Slowdive, but whom were more electro- based and finally signed to Warp. When he left the band, he worked solo and recorded under the name Locust, whom Halstead did an album with in 1994. Nick Holton was originally in Coley Park, who released records on Halstead's label Shady Lane and Big Potato Records. Coley Park is an area of Reading, and the band were a constant support act to Mojave 3. 'Stars Are Our Home' was recorded over a number of places over a number of years, and the results are enough to place it in my Albums of the Year. I, however, put off playing it because, being such a Slowdive fan, I was concerned that it would not to be able to match Halstead's former band's greatness. It is nothing like Slowdive at all, but it hints to a return to that band's experiments in sound. The title track opens the double white vinyl album. It has a slow keyboard intro, which is as seductive as a Cure intro tape, before a lush chilled-out vibe extends out of it. '(I Don't Mean To) Wonder' edges towards Slowdive's mystical charms with its layered and textured guitars and strong paced drums, while Halstead's vocals sound as if they were sung stoned. This track with its delivery sounds like the best ever tribute to My Bloody Valentine. 'This is How It Feels' isn't a cover of the Inspiral Carpets tune. It does, however, have a light-hearted feel, and sounds like a perky Mojave 3 at their most experimental and light-hearted. 'Got Your Love' clocks in at just over seven minutes. It starts off by recalling the main theme to Vangelis' Chariots of Fire' soundtrack, before a 'Girlfriend in a Coma' rhythm beats up the pace. The rest of the track, which is a total joy throughout, recalls mid-90's Pulp at their most commercial. 'If I Was Here (To Change Your Mind)' drifts into moody Nick Cave territory, before taking its listener elsewhere in a sea of fuzzness. 'UFO' has a more familiar Halstead delivery, being very much like Nick Drake but with more fire in it. 'Time in the Machine' starts with slow Leonard Cohen guitar and smooth keyboards before the party starts and it becomes reminiscent of the Velvet Underground at their most experimental. 'Oh Crust' is a fiery space rock number, as is 'Take Heart' which has a swirling, otherworldly feel, although Halstead's vocals are calm and reflective. 'My Baby Just Sailed away' is an electro number, which gently builds into a massive sound. 'I'm Back' sounds like a mad Bjork tune, while Neil's haunting and beautiful vocals have an air of innocence about them. 'Look Out Here They Come, ends side four of the vinyl set, and, featuring a drum machine, is light-toned with a sunny sunshine feel. A wonderful album.

Track Listing:-

1 Stars Are Our Home
2 (I Don't Mean To) Wonder
3 This Is How It Feels
4 Got Your Love
5 If I Was Here to Change Your Mi
6 Ufo
7 Time In the Machine
8 Oh Crust
9 Take Heart
10 My Baby Just Sailed Away
11 I'm Back
12 Look Out Here They Come
13 Coat and Tie

Band Links:-

https://twitter.com/blackheartedbro
https://www.facebook.com/blackheartedb
http://www.blackheartedbrother.com/

Label Links:-

http://www.soniccathedral.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/soniccathedra
https://twitter.com/soniccathedral
https://www.youtube.com/user/https%3A/