It’s great to hear that Britpop is alive and well. Shed Seven presents their latest album, ‘A Matter of Time’, with some excellently crafted songs that bring with them a profound feeling of nostalgia. Being in the game for so long brings a certain set of expectations to a new release, whether that be the quality of the production, the cohesiveness of the instrumentation or the depth of the vocal component. I am happy to report that all of the above have been masterfully achieved here.
The album showcases three noteworthy features from Rowetta of Happy Mondays fame, Laura McClure of Reverand and the Makers, and none other than Pete Doherty (The Libertines, Babyshambles) which was a pleasant surprise for me personally. The band seek to please fans new and old, and I think with this album they have succeeded.
Let’s Go
‘Let’s Go’ wastes no time smashing into the album. The song is short and sweet, clocking in at just over 2 minutes long, featuring a fast pace that carries throughout the track. It also has a distinct rock and roll sound accentuated by the choir-style backing vocals towards the song’s latter half. This leads to a solid first impression, warming up the audience for the rest of the album.
Kissing California
Following on from a fast and energetic first song is ‘Kissing California’, featuring a more laid-back vibe. It features fantastic use of percussion alongside the drums, as well as some outstanding high and low vocal harmonies that give the track a distinct summer feel. The gang vocal chanting ‘California’ is a great hook to this song and makes it one of the more memorable tracks on the album.
Talk of the Town
‘Talk of the Town’ features a fantastic sense of rhythm, with a more acoustic-sounding guitar in the verse section that makes the distorted guitar in the chorus stand out more. The chorus vocal is more straightforward, mostly repeating the title of the song. This gives the lead guitar a chance to shine as it adds its own melody. The middle eight is especially great as it features a great buildup back to the final chorus.
Let’s Go Dancing
Slowing things down with a piano introduction with a more vulnerable and sombre vocal is ‘Let’s Go Dancing’. There is a great use of a string section here throughout most of the piece that leans heavily into its Britpop heritage. The ‘ahhs’ that accompany the vocals’ title lyric at the end of the chorus is a personal highlight for me. This is also topped off by a great dual guitar solo at the end.
In Ecstasy (featuring Rowetta)
‘In Ecstasy’ is the first of the features, and features Rowetta mostly as an accompaniment to Rick’s vocal. It is because of this that there is a lot of power behind this track. Rick sings a lower melody in the chorus that gives Rowetta a chance to stand out as a guest vocalist. Another special mention for this song is the bass. It is incredible here and really is another standout instrument on this track.
Tripping with You (featuring Laura McClure)
‘Tripping with You’ is a sweet song that encapsulates plenty of emotion. It slows things down and the violin that accompanies the title vocal at the end of the chorus is a nice touch. This track features the second guest, Laura McClure. As much as I like the idea of Laura’s more relaxed vocal as an accompaniment, I cannot help but feel she is a little underutilised here and it’s a real shame. I think the ensemble of instruments in the outro comes across as a little jarring too. This is still a great song though.
Real Love
Following a short interlude with ‘Let’s Go (Again)’, ‘Real Love’ is a faster song that I can see as being a future single, or at least a staple of future live shows. I really like the use of synths here, it adds a distinct feel to the track. It is a nice change as the album has mostly used real instruments up to this point. This song is proof that the album shows some great diversity by switching up the style and staying fresh.
F: K: H
‘F: K: H’ features more gospel-style backing vocals. The song is a little more steady in its pace, and for me even draws comparisons to Primal Scream’s ‘Movin’ on Up’. This is probably my least favourite track on the album, as there is nothing that really jumps up as a standout feature. Because of this, the song feels a little too long, especially with the addition of the outro. I feel like the rest of the album offers a lot more in comparison.
Starlings
‘Starlings’ is a sombre, yet uplifting song that takes a look back at simpler times. The focus of this song is clearly on the lyrics as they sound very personal to the vocalist. The string sections and vocal harmonies are a subtle accompaniment to the track, allowing the vocal performance to stand in the spotlight. The song has a steadier pace that doesn’t switch things up too much, but gently carries the listener through the song.
Ring the Changes
‘Ring the Changes’ features a strong groove on the drums that carries the pace of the song. The snare sounds to have a trigger giving it a slightly more electronic sound. A little guitar lick repeats throughout the song and is a nice motif, providing a strong hook. The whole song has a summer festival feel and is one of the standout tracks on the album.
Throwaways (featuring Pete Doherty)
‘Throwaways’ is by far my favourite track on the album. It is a longer track that features a great sense of progression, giving all the parts a chance to breathe. Pete Doherty’s distinct voice can easily be heard as a harmony for the majority of the parts, even having his own verse that fits Shed Seven’s style perfectly. This is the longest song on the album, but each section feels distinct, and every part has its place; it is masterfully written. Even more strings bring back the Britpop sound, with some amazing vocal harmonies. What a beautiful way to play out the album.
‘A Matter of Time’ is a wonderful album that just goes to show that Shed Seven have only become more complete as musicians over the years. The passion can be heard in every track and it is a solid listening experience.
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