St Vitus Dance - Bystanders

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 12 / 1 / 2013

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Review

'Bystanders' is the third album from the Liverpool-based Irish band St Vitus Dance, which is fronted by Noel Burke, who stepped into Ian McCulloch's shoes for six years in 1987 when he didn't want to be a Bunnyman any more. 'Gospel Oak' is a catchy pop number, with a 'Revolver'-style edge and a little bit of a Byrds- like country vibe. 'St John's Garden's is softer and again has a country vibe. It is like Johnny Cash on a sad trip, but is as catchy as Aztec Camera, or the softer moments of Neil Young. 'Circumstances' is funky in a 1970's way, a gentle toe tapper. 'Landslide' is as gentle as sparkling water,but has a fizz about it, like a decent walk on a summer sunshine-filled day. 'A Lot to Learn' again has that summer sunshine vibe to it, but it also has a cool swagger to the tune in itss engine. 'Great Divide' has more of a mood to it. Sad strings give it more pain, which add joy to the final journey. Soft psychedelic organ edges the tune on, giving it a somewhat Tindersticks like-landscape. 'Trojan Security' has a strong lead vocal and acoustic guitar work, aginst which the band harmonise perfectly. 'Prester John' is much like the Byrds but in a more psychedelic, mystical way. 'Devil May Care' is almost a Saturday night sing-a-long, but much more country and soul flavoured. It ends with 'Leaning', which has a strong story and is much more eerie than the other tracks. Neil's vocal that holds its audience, and it has great instrumentation including Bunnymen-like guitar which holds its notes well. A good, solid album all around

Track Listing:-

1 Gospel Oak
2 St John's Gardens
3 Circumstances
4 Landslide
5 A lot to learn
6 Great Divide
7 Trojan Security
8 Prester John
9 Devil May care
10 Leaning

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/St-Vitus-Danc

Label Links:-

http://www.probeplus-store.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Probe-Plus-Re
http://www.probe-plus.co.uk/