It’s My First Time!
Hello everyone and yes, it’s my first time taking a gander at the new album by our friends Duncan Reid And The Big Heads, it’s funky, fruity, and full of life, and I would expect nothing less from an old punk stalwart. Here Duncan has channelled his efforts and his fire to its fullest potential with the help of bandmates Sophie Powers – guitar/keys/ BV, Karen Jones – drums/BV and Nick Hughes – guitar/trumpet/BV to bring you this ray of sunshine amidst the absurdity and gloom we face right now. Life and all its guises and surprises are tackled in this fourteen -song aural extravaganza, so pour me something ‘bubbly, tall and slightly pink’ – oo-err missus- and let’s begin.
From the outset it’s that voice, so calming, and gentle (maybe I’ve been death growled into oblivion), such a fine set of honeyed tonsils you won’t meet.
Politicians are a god-awful breed really and they do not escape the tenacious tendrils of our heroes in the quick- smart ‘Motherfucker’, a blatant and unabashed sharp end of the tongue lashing, and well deserved too. It’s time to search desperately for your bestrewed clothes from the night before as we celebrate the reprobate in ‘ Welcome To My World’ which leads elegantly into a touch of romanticism as we dip into ‘Brief Encounter’ mode for the simple, no frills, ditty ‘Tea And Sympathy’ and learn of the loneliness felt by some women in a marriage that yields nothing so they look for attention elsewhere. When things end, they must return to the home they once left and commiserate alone with their thoughts. The lyric ‘ who to tell of this lonely hell’ is spot on in discerning and delivering the agony. Next up is ‘To Live Or Live Not’ with words powered by Black Lace ( Agadoo anyone?) we jet off to Caracas to live out our md-life crisis and break these chains, go wild, run free my friends, now where did I leave my maracas?
The songs have a 60’s vibe too, evocative of The Beach Boys, with tales of first love, strawberries, yum, and you get a little glimpse into Duncan’s personal life with ‘Oh What A Lovely Day’ set against the backdrop of his first foreign holiday. It’s quite nostalgic, and maybe that’s for the better in our current climate. Staying in the Sixties, we have The Big Heads theme, similar to The Monkees, great riff and keys, a proper foot stomping melody, playful and unassuming. The title track reaches out to the ‘forgotten’ in society, the ones that get a raw deal, resulting in the rise of hatred towards strangers. Sadly, this is more common than we would like to admit.
The lamentable tale of ‘older man falls for younger woman is told’ in ‘Came The Day’, a ballad that is graceful and encapsulates the whole sorry saga in the line ‘ your whirlwind blew and sent my world into a spin’, you could say some guys have all the luck, and conversely some guys never learn.
There is oodles and oodles of swag and swank, enough to dislocate your hips to, don’t worry there’s enough for everyone. A great sense of humour, strapping guitars, and dulcet tones to dance your way across the sky, it’s an altogether fun and frolicky outing.
The arrangements here are engaging and have that ‘come hither’ aspect, so natural and untainted, complemented by lush vocal harmonies, inciting genuine feelings of happiness, warmth, and compassion.
Let’s up the tempo now and remember the outsiders, those who don’t fit. This is a subject that many of us can relate to, and in the long run it’s better to be yourself, and you’ll find ‘Little Miss Understood’ a rowdy little beast, energetic and energising.
Sometimes artists never know how much their work is appreciated, but on this occasion ‘Dave’ summoned the courage to speak about his cancer treatment and how The Big Heads music is his salvation on those long drives to the hospital. Duncan reciprocated with this touching tribute. Instead of trolling musicians, tell them you love their work, it will help them immensely. A grisly movie throwback to end this jollification is in ‘Jealousy’ and the tasty line ‘your bunny’s boiling fiercely on their stove’, I’m laughing, I know it’s not funny.
Shake up that bottle of fizz vigorously and let the bountiful bubbles cascade incessantly.
If you fall hopelessly in love with this record, don’t blame yourself.
Duncan Reid And The Big Heads – Don’t Blame Yourself out now via LBH Records.