Album Review: Soda Blonde, Dream Big (Live with the National Symphony Orchestra)

This is a mighty record altogether. ‘Tis a live album – captured during Soda Blonde’s sold-out performance at the National Concert Hall last summer – of their acclaimed second album, reimagined through sweeping orchestral arrangements by Gavin Murphy, with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by the magnetic David Brophy.

The show’s lighting was designed by the band’s close friend and long-time collaborator Conor Biddle, who passed away this year, and they have dedicated the release to his memory. That’s some dream team, which is all captured on the concert film Straight Into The Arms Of Something, which offers a cinematic companion to the album.

It’s quite a package – deluxe double gatefold vinyl, with a 12-page booklet featuring stills from the film, as well as a digital album and streaming concert film. From the off, the epic grandeur of ‘Dream Big’ is simply magnificent, fusing the alloy of band and orchestra perfectly. It flows into the funky soul of ‘Midnight Show’, where the 70-odd NSO folk are clearly immensely enjoying themselves.

Further highlights include Faye O’Rourke’s stirring vocals on ‘Boys’ being chased and circled by an entire symphony orchestra. Elsewhere, ‘Going Out’ has never sounded as merry, which is saying something, while the understatement of ‘Why Die For Danzig’ is tremendous.

So too is the raucous greeting it receives from the sold-out NCH crowd, who sound absolutely delighted with themselves, and why wouldn’t they? Soda Blonde are a splendid outfit any day of the week, but they really outdo themselves here.

9/10