Congregation - Congregation

by Anthony Strutt

published: 26 / 10 / 2008

Label: Bronzerat records
Format: CD

Impressive blues on accomplished debut album from London-based two piece, Congregation

Review

Congregation hail from the bedsit land of New Cross but in fact look like Camden Town trendies. The music they make has a true blues sound, and they are on the label that launched Seasick Steve, who is now getting loud reviews, as this two piece also deserve. ‘Dose of Hell’ opens their self-titled debut album. It has a cool slide guitar line from Benjamin Prosser while Victoria Yeulet's vocals sound like those of a screwed up PJ Harvey on downers. On this you truly feel her pain as if it is your own. ‘I was a Fool’ is a 1920's-style foot-tapping Mississippi Blues number with a sorrowful vocal. ‘Don't Pay No Mind’ is meanwhile a 1950's rock ‘n’ roll number with a rockabilly beat. ‘Head Above Water’ is a slow burner, with a vocal as slow as a cutting knife on a young girl's wrists who has just had enough of life. You more than feel the pain. You live it with Victoria on this very slow blues number. ‘Never Forgive’ is a 1950’s rockabilly number with a vocal from Victoria that recalls Portishead’s Beth Gibbons. ‘Oh, True Love’ features some great slide guitar, while ‘Hard to Bear’, although it is another slow blue number, is quite poppy compared to the rest of this album. ‘Putting You Out’ recalls Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Hey Joe’ and has another heartbreaking vocal. ‘Eye to Eye’ is another rockabilly number with an echo on the vocal. ‘The Man I Love,’ is reminiscent of ‘Patsy Cline’, while 'Feel Like Crying’ was the single from the album and is another slow blues number. ‘There was a Time’ closes the album, and has a 50’s Raveonettes’ retro feel, but without the Raveonettes trademark sound of feedback.

Track Listing:-

1 Day By Day
2 Love Song
3 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
4 Midnight Blue
5 Lovers Of The World Unite
6 All Things Must Pass
7 Until It's Time For You To Go
8 Loving Your Neighbour
9 Everything I Am
10 A Friend In Need
11 Jesahel
12 I Will Survive