Good as it ever was on Wirral act's vintage fifth outing
Everything you ever needed to know about The Coral’s sound could be deduced by listening to their 2002 debut album. That self-titled first outing showcased a band smitten with the classic pop and acid-tinged rock of the late sixties and early seventies. Subsequent offerings, including this John Leckie (The Stone Roses, Radiohead, Muse) produced fifth album could be considered a renewing of vows for a band already wed to the sounds and spirit of that era.
They are unflinching in the face of contemporary musical tastes and seemingly impervious to change; even the loss of lead guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones – who quit back in 2008 – has produced no discernible difference in sound here. Remarkably, despite ploughing the same old furrow, the results are exceedingly fertile and testament to their enduring songwriting talent. Frontman, and musical magpie, James Skelly has feathered the band’s nest with all manner of glittering influences, from The Walker Brothers’ dazzle of ‘Roving Jewel’, to the rustic tenderness of the title track with its echoes of Simon & Garfunkel.
There are traces too of the harmony driven tunefulness of other acts like CSNY on ‘1000 Years’ and The Mamas & The Papas on ‘Two Faces’, whilst ‘Green Is The Colour’ contains more than a whisper of Love’s artful psychedelia. Showcasing its procession of heritage sounds, Butterfly House is the musical equivalent of The Antiques Roadshow and an album that will delight and intrigue in equal measure.
KEY TRACK: ‘ROVING JEWEL’
Melody takes precedence on Roots And Echoes, and this makes it stronger and tighter than The Coral’s previous releases.
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Read More With The Coral’s third album, The Invisible Invasion, set to seal their reputation as one of Britain’s foremost indie bands, guitarist Billy Ryder-Jones here discusses their desire to make a classic album, collaborating with Portishead’s Geoff Barrow, and why their reputation as Liverpool chavs is entirely ill-deserved. “We’ve never nicked anyone’s stereo,” he explains.
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Read More This is a typically rollicking, country-tinged blues number from one of the more intriguing young acts on the Brit indie scene.
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Read More The Coral are great musicians – every track on this album is executed with flair and skill and invested with a woozy charm.
Read More Liverpool's musical exports have included The Beatles, Echo and the Bunnymen, the Teardrop Explodes, Pete Burns, the KLF, the Lightning Seeds, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and many more. Mercury nominees The Coral are the latest scallywags to capture the attention of the music press who have picked up on their blend of classic rock influences and irreverent energy
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