Rising Manchester septet Bethlehem Casuals are releasing their latest album ‘The Tragedy Of Street Dog’ on 17th April! It is a concept album which tells the story of a dog who wonders why all the music in Manchester has disappeared. The mind wrenching lyrics and ambitious sound make it a deliriously entertaining listen.
Opening the album is ‘80 Something’. This soothing start to the album gives us the initial introduction to the dog, and takes the listener on a trip down Baker Street. The tracks jazzy refrains soon transform into a looser punk-funk feel, setting the album off to a steady pace.
Carrying on this more mellow feel comes ‘The Oke’. This is the kind of song (particularly the introduction), that you would expect to find in a fairy tale or even a ballet. The delicate string section combined with the soft chimes make it that bit more calming. As the manly chants of ‘The Oke’ come in, accompanied by a steady drum beat, there is an immediate shift in tone. The track becomes more jazzy and upbeat as references are made to the lost music being discovered in Salford.
If you want a track that will absolutely baffle you, ‘The Passion’ is the one! This track is a euphoric 9 minute meander through all kinds of genres and sounds, it is almost impossible to place it in to one category. It is a unique, innovative track, but one that may only appeal to a niche audience.
Continuing with the more peculiar side of the album is ‘Street Dog’. The more bluesy sound of this track showcases the band’s more stripped back side, and alongside the unexpected time changes, makes it one of the more unusual songs on the album.
After this comes ‘The Drink’, a song that brings out the Casuals’ rock side. From guitars to cellos to saxophones, this song has it all. This band clearly thrive off the shock factor!
Bethlehem Casuals conclude the album with ‘Change’, an infectious pop track with an addictive beat. It perfectly combines everything you have already heard in the album from the groovy jazz origins to its otherworldly disco shifts!
The notably laid back nature of the Casuals is evident throughout the album. They channel a diverse range of sounds including punk, jazz, blues and pop, alongside an inventive (and maybe a little bit mad) storyline. ‘The Tragedy Of Street Dog’ is a creative album to say the least!