Album Review :: Stornoway - Bonxie

Stornoway

Bonxie

April 13 2015 (Cooking Vinyl)

9/10

Words: Andy Runacres

Oxford quartet Stornoway burst into our consciousness back in 2010 with the release of their debut album 'Beachcomber’s Windowsill'. Sales of which were no doubt propelled by the lead single 'Zorbing', which seemed to be everywhere at the time. They followed this up three years later with 'Tales From Terra Firma', an album which, despite garnering good reviews, failed to push them to the heights they had previously led us to believe they were heading to. Now, two further years down the road, does third album 'Bonxie' - a Shetland nickname for the great skua seabird - have the ammunition to finally take them there?

Renowned for being a do-it-yourself band, this time they have relaxed the reins and pulled in a producer to help hone their sound. Gil Norton, perhaps best known for his work with bands such as Pixies and Foo Fighters, was the man trusted with the job of giving them more focus; and the good news is that he has done just that. Frontman Brian Briggs has commented that Norton was obsessed with getting the drums and bass right, and it’s this harder, punchier rhythm sound that underpins what has ended up as a superb collection of largely uplifting, melodious indie pop/folk.

Briggs prepared for this album by moving away from his comfort zone home in Oxford to the Gower Peninsula in Wales, and it’s likely that this environment has seeped through to the songs which are primarily concerned with life, love and nature - especially nature.  The album is sprinkled throughout with a myriad of birdsong (from over 20 species, apparently), perfectly complementing the myriad of instrumentation that gives the songs flesh, with Briggs' voice sounding better than ever. Despite it being said that Norton wasn’t too happy with the birdsong, considering the underlying theme of the album, it feels right and in tune with the album’s spring-timed release.

Album opener 'Between the Saltmarsh and the Sea', seems especially influenced by the Atlantic-driven weather that predominates in the Gower climate. Heralded in by the sounds of a foghorn and sea birds, followed by foghorn mimicking organ chords, the song is a paean to the great outdoors. Briggs singing “When you’re wild you get under my skin” and “our lives have been tied by a powerful force”, leaves one feeling like setting out on a trek in the wildest elements after listening to it.

In contrast, 'Get Low' is a synth-led bouncy singalong imploring you to continue to chase your dreams: “dream high, keep rolling,”  but understand that sometimes, “you’ll get low”. Give it three listens and it will be in your head for days. Elsewhere 'Man On Wire', mixed by Elbow’s Craig Potter,  is complemented by string arrangements that his band would be proud of, and album standout 'Sing With Our Senses' climbs and soars much like, one imagines, the Bonxie itself.  Connection with our environment and the way that it can enrich your being is the theme here with sea shores and forests being all one needs to make the heart sing. “This is the world we belong to” sings Briggs, “The music our senses need to tune in to,” as the trademark Stornoway harmonies kick in to great effect.

Lead single 'When You’re Feeling Gentle' has a motorik rhythm entwined with swirling synth lines as Briggs asks, “When you’re feeling gentle, teach me to be gentle”.  I have to admit the repetitiveness of the chorus here irritated me initially, but it didn’t take long for the sheer joy to turn it from irritation to infection.  It’s another top earworm in an album that is brimming with worms wriggling through to reach your senses.

'Heart of the Great Alone' lifts you up again with a fantastic guitar riff ending it off, before another highlight, lilting sea shanty 'Josephine' gets you swaying whilst bathing you in glorious four-part harmonies.  This track is an undoubted shoo-in for the unplugged songs that are an undeniable highlight in Stornoway’s live sets.

Album closer 'Love Song of the Beta Male' is a self-confessed, “cheesy, but in a good way” hymn for all the beta males out there who can’t offer grand gestures to prove their love but can offer love through attention, reassurance by way of a listening ear, sentimental songs and a hug.  It is a bit out of step with the rest of the album, but the smiles it raises more than make it a worthy addition.  Fittingly as the song fades out the birdsong comes in again to herald the end of the journey.

So will 'Bonxie' be the album to push Stornoway to a higher plain?  Well, if there is any justice in the world, yes, it will. Those who have been following the Stornoway story for the last five-plus years will recognise it to be their finest album yet, and those that haven’t should prepare to get on board. 'Bonxie' is a triumph and if you give it a go, you will, I’m sure, fall in love with its abundant charm.