Opener The Heart is Willing encapsulates just that; Bondy voice is rough but emotive, however matched with the jangly guitar, the song has a spring in its step. Each AA Bondy album has its own sombre and romantic number and for this album it’s Down In The Fire (Lost Sea). Calming guitar circulates around a wistful melody, creating sentimentality through its misty atmosphere. Rolling along with a slow, country swagger is Surfer King; despite the title, the song evokes images of a smoky bar and lonesome cowboys lamenting over a double scotch. A particular stand out is The Twist evoking the slightly sinister appeal of a Fleetwood Mac pop song. Bondy’s voice floats through threatening waves of synthesised organ and keyboard sounds, with his distorted guitar melody sauntering along.
Believers can feel tiresome. Bondy’s persistent forlorn demeanour making an exhausting late-night listen. However there are moments where AA Bondy captures his audience with the perfect mix of folk-inspired rawness and a subtle pop appeal.
ALEXANDRA DUGUID
Best Track: The Twist
If You Like These, You’ll Like: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours
In A Word: Lonesome
