Of Arrowe Hill - 1914

by Jamie Rowland

published: 13 / 8 / 2014

Label: Ouija Board Entertainment
Format: CDS

Promising start to a new project from of Arrowe Hill, who to mark the centenary of the First World War will be releasing one track a year between 1914 and 1918

Review

To mark the centenary of the First World War, of Arrowe Hill will be releasing one track a year between 4th August 2014 and 11th November 2018. When all the tracks are released, they will be compiled and released on a limited, vinyl EP. 1914 is the first track, recorded with all the satisfying crackles and whirrings of an old 78. Singer/guitarist Adam Easterbrook plays a bluesy guitar and sings from the point of view of a soldier out on the front, stuck in an awful situation he doesn’t understand but plucking up his British, can-do attitude and making the best of it: “we’re here because we’re here”. The band have dealt with themes of war and soldiers before, and the subject is clearly one close to their hearts. I really like it as a concept with which to remember the Great War, and it will be interesting to see if and how each song builds on the narrative begun here. This is certainly a promising start to the EP we will see in four years time.