Butcher the Bar - For Each a Future Tethered

  by Andy Cassidy

published: 28 / 1 / 2012

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Review

Butcher the Bar is Manchester-based singer-songwriter Joel Nicholson. Following his 2008 debut 'Sleep at Your Own Speed', 'For Each a Future Tethered' is his second LP. Nicholson has beefed up his sound for his second album, adding trumpets, clarinet, piano, harmonium and “all sorts of improvised and toy instruments.” The result is an album which sounds fuller and more rounded than 'Sleep at Your Own Speed', and provides a perfect showcase for Nicholson’s gift as an arranger. Opening track 'Sign Your Name' is an upbeat band effort with guitar and piano and a prominent drum track. Vocally, Nicholson’s performance is effortless and fits perfectly with the music. Instrumentally, the track lies somewhere between My Life Story, the Divine Comedy and Belle and Sebastian, and melodically it would be a worthy addition to any of their canons. Nicholson’s new sound is at its most obvious on 'Cradle Song'. A syncopated guitar line merges with the song’s percussion and the arrangement is fleshed out with a charming harmonium accompaniment. Comparisons have been drawn between Nicholson and Elliot Smith and Sufjan Stevens. Certainly, the Sufjan Stevens vibe is evident on 'Giant' with a pared down piano intro which gives way to a lively acoustic jam. 'Giant' could easily sit on Stevens’ 'Come On Feel the Illinoise' – it’s truly a fantastic song, upbeat, melodic and superbly executed. One of the more surprising songs on the album is' 'X' on which Nicholson is joined by Seasick Steve. The collaboration came about after the pair met in a Richmond pub, and is a particular highlight of the set. There is a gentleness to Nicholson’s music, and an undercurrent of optimism is prevalent throughout the album. 'For Each a Future Tethered' is an extremely positive album – a welcome change from the melancholy doom peddlers of today’s chart fare. Listening to this album, it is clear that it was made with a great deal of love and the care, imagination and effort which has gone into creating it pays off – it’s a hugely enjoyable and wonderfully uplifting LP, and one that I can imagine myself listening to again and again.

Track Listing:-

1 Sign Your Name
2 Bobby
3 Cradle Song
4 Giant
5 Alpha Street West
6 Blood For The Breeze
7 Silk Tilts
8 Sin So Sweet
10 Cornered To The Cusp
11 Lullaby

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/ButcherTheBar
http://butcherthebar.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/butcherthebar
http://www.last.fm/music/Butcher+The+B

Label Links:-

https://www.morrmusic.com/
https://twitter.com/morrmusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/morrmusic
https://plus.google.com/10974998760633
https://www.facebook.com/morrmusicberl