Beans On Toast, also known as Jay McAllister is set to release his 11th studio album: “The Inevitable Train Wreck”, on 1st December. It is a rock & roll protest album focusing on issues relating to global warming, technology and the current state of society, thought provoking to say the least!
The album is kickstarted with Beans’ new single, “World Gone Crazy” which is a fast paced, classic rock & roll tune about the bleak future of the human race. This is quite a raw song to start the album with, and it was recorded solely on vintage analogue equipment! Towards the end of the song issues such as rising carbon emissions, high sea levels and deforestation are referenced, all issues which are incredibly relevant in todays society. During the writing of this album, Beans took inspiration from modern thinkers such as Noah Yuval Harari and Greta Thunberg, and this definitely comes across in the lyrics.
“Extinction No.6” is a folky/Kinks style hybrid about the worries faced by new parents leaving a dying planet for their children. Again, the lyrics reference issues relating to climate change and deforestation, both things that are proving difficult in terms of forcing the hands of change. As the track progresses and begins to list potential solutions to these problems, the pace begins to quicken. This more upbeat pace is reflective of the hopeful, optimistic outlook that goes hand in hand with these solutions. With the repetition of the lyric “leave it in the ground” alongside an electric guitar section, it is almost impossible for this song to not leave a longstanding effect.
Beans didn’t use any computers in the recording, mixing or mastering of the album, which links in nicely with the track “Saying Thank You To Robots”, a song about the rise of artificial intelligence. This track has a chirpy guitar sound throughout which contradicts its almost bitter lyrics surrounding our reliance as a society on technology. Beans’ use of a monologue for the bridge helps to break the song up and gives it more depth, making it a more intriguing listen.
“Rich Vs Poor” brings a new element of blues to the album as it draws on wars of the future. The harmonica in the introduction hints at the possibility of country and reiterates Beans’ folky style. This, combined with the general lack of instruments other than occasional guitar strums, really draws the focus to Beans’ raw vocals and the meaningful message behind his lyrics. Beans uses humour throughout the song and witty metaphors to draw on the social inequalities that could grow in society in the near future, such as the “loaf of bread vs the upper crust”, a very fitting analogy.
“Logic Bomb” has quite a groovy into and draws on themes of softcore jazz, basically, you can’t help but want to have a little dance to it! However, yet again, the topics touched on in the song don’t really match the upbeat sound. One of the aspects explored in the lyrics is our dependency on technology and our naïve sense of being that comes along with this, you can’t help but agree with what Beans is saying…
Straying away from political and social issues, in the track “Lost Poetry Department”, Beans relays the heart wrenching time he lost his beloved guitar, Martin. Beans disguises the underlying sadness of the event with upbeat rhythms and a general uplifting tone as he dwells on the unfortunate event of being unable to “locate his poetry”.
The Inevitable Train Wreck is concluded with track “On & On”, which uses an acoustic guitar to bring back a more familiar Beans sound for the older fans. It has messages of searching for hope while living in troubled times, and places emphasis on seeking the good out of the worst of situations. This song is much gentler than some of its predecessors, similar to the sound of “England, I Love You”, and is a nice way to end the album, despite its slightly melancholy reflection on the current state of politics in the first verse.
Towards the end of the song is a few lines which really summarise the whole vibe of the album, but also the kind of mindset that we should all try and embrace: “Life is ridiculous, it is hilarious, it can be dangerous and sometimes even tedious. But its resilient and it is beautiful and I believe in it. Long may it continue.”