Blood Ties - Brian McGilloway

 

New book in Ben Devlin series by Brian McGilloway

Brian McGilloway won huge acclaim last year with the brilliant novel THE LAST CROSSING, before that he wrote a series of books featuring Ben Devlin a maverick of sorts in the police force near the borderlands of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland with all the political ramifications that go with the character's proximity.

The Last Crossing was a standalone novel and a mediation on the coping of grief when one event can haunt you but also set you on a path in your life with no looking back.

On more familiar ground with a returning lead protagonist, Devlin is investigating a case that also looks back at the past and how it can have such a grip on people. 

'How can a dead woman avenge herself on her killer twenty years after her murder?'

That is the question posed to Devlin as he investigates a murdered body in a bedsit, a chill washes over him when the identity of the victim is Brooklyn Harris. Devlin knew of the case when Harris was convicted of murdering one Hannah Row on a night out which included sexual assault of the young victim on that occasion. As a minor, Harris was granted a new name when released from prison and yet his passing throws light on the question of how to grief for any victim, irrespective of the nefarious nature of the person involved.

As Devlin attempts to investigate he finds obstacles by people and colleagues who feel that particular victim - Harris - should be buried as quickly as possible in essence good riddance to bad criminals. 

McGilloway crafts a novel full of intrigue and compulsion, touching on religion, the pressure on the youth from peers, vigilant justice against sexual assaulters in the social media age and Devlin having to cope with the impending Covid-19 pandemic upon his loved ones especially his ailing father who he removes from a care home and takes in to be near him.

The swiftness with which McGilloway can go from one narrative thread to another so neatly and succinctly is a skill that familiar readers will be aware of but new readers will greatly appreciate.

A writer of real intelligence has again created a work of fiction that is both real and emotive basing it within a very familiar world as the fear of a pandemic takes over, but a gripping and entertaining crime read of real nous and skill

Blood Ties is available now on all formats.

My thanks to DHH Literary Agency for the review opportunity.

Condemned - RC Bridgestock

 

New book in the DI Charley Mann series by respected Yorkshire based duo Bob and Carol Bridgestock

RC Bridgestock is the pseudonym or pen name for the combination of married couple Robert and Carol Bridgestock who together have nearly 50 years of experience working in the West Yorkshire Police service.

They first made their name as consultants on the popular television series Happy Valley which was broadcast on the BBC and starred Sarah Lancashire. From there they have written several standalone books such as the thrilling Reprobates and yet in 2020 they gained creditable traction with the publication of Payback, the first to feature feisty female DI Charley Mann - a woman whose ferocious appetitie for justice is a match for any person in the police force.

Payback was a thrilling read which featured Mann returning to her home near Huddersfield, this reverse fish out of water narrative with Charley returning home after a long stint in the Metropolitan force was both refreshing and gripped the ready from the first page.

In Condemned we find Charley again having to cope with a very cold case as it is January and a body has been found on a building site set for demolition. The forensics find two bodies, apart from each other one fresher than the other but the case throws in questions of legacy and land ownership in these still remote parts of our green and pleasant land.

Charley must contend against many hard-nosed egotistical males from the land developer where the bodies are found, to a young police officer who has a gambling problem affecting his work. These are expected in the still male dominated industry, yet it is the relationship with an elderly women that holds the key to the proceedings of the case and the spectre of ancestral family trees.

The air of suffocating oppression in the Yorkshire dales along with the incoming threat of Covid-19 that underlies the narrative is well done by the writing partnership. Personally though it does not reach the heights of the first novel - a common problem in new series as contemporaries Marion Todd and MJ Lee can attest to - yet those writers grew with each book in the series.

The wealth of experience at the disposal of Bridgestock is unparalleled yet in this instance the narrative did not hold the attention of this writer, yet it remains a solid piece of work in the crime genre. This reader looks forward to the next in the series.

CONDEMNED is out now from Canelo Press 

Spirit of the Beehive - Entertainment, Death

 

New album from Spirit of the Beehive on new label, Saddle Creek, out April 9th this is Entertainment, Death.

The shape shifting Philadelphia trio return with a new work for a new label but remaining true to their spirit of noise rock immersion with their work being less music but pop music just not as you know it.

Following on from the much praised 2018 release hypnic jerks, SotB modus operandi of creating a smorgasbord of influences from music, film and television. At times jolting and sudden but never less than satisfying, the juxtaposition of manic energy with deliberate production marks the now three-piece as a collective of unique vision and integrity. 

The alteration in the titling of the songs marks out a difference of intent - gone are the lower case titles of the 2018 release to the full bold upper case capitalisation of their work; are the band being more defiant or triumphant about their work in this instance.

While the compositions may not be everyone's cup of tea, there is nevertheless an accessibility to the tunes be it the vocal work of both guitarist Zack Schwartz and bassist Rivka Ravede, whose vocals tie in nicely with the discord of the music. This is never more evident than on 'THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN'T DO' where the lightness of Ravede's delivery coupled with Schwartz's howl showcases the collision between the sublime and the loud.

Even moments of poppiness such as 'THE SERVER IS IMMERSED' is a break from the monotony of the everyday where the work sways along until all three members sing in unison to break the listener from their hypnotic spell. The clash of the everyday with the artisan is never far away with this group.

Along with new band member, Corey Wichlin, the band's intentions of abstraction with an abundance of input from all media mark it out as a work of high recognition through keeping the listener on their toes seemingly. 

While the personnel has changed, the album remains a continuation of a band's ethos coupling electronic instrumentation, along with stream-of-consciousness lyrics to make an aural experience that is both gratifying and challenging in this day and age of the unknown future.

ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH is out on Friday 9th April from Saddle Creek

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The Natvral - Tethers

 

Debut album from Kip Berman (The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) Tethers is out April 2nd via Dirty Bingo Records.

Following the disbandment of the band in 2017 after the release of The Echo of Pleasure, Berman found himself at a creative crossroads. Having written about young adult life in New York City with maturity and a fine ear for a tune - Berman found himself at a creative crossroads.

Tethers is the further maturation of Berman as a songwriter in a new guise as The Natvral with an observation of the changes in his life marking this as a self-portrait of sorts. This comes with a move from hipster central Brooklyn to Princeton and the arrival of a new daughter, this new identity as a parent came a shift in how he approached and created music. Instead of constant months of touring, came the writing for himself after bedtime for the children.

Tethers has a raw but earthy sound reminiscent of the Laurel Canyon sound with the swoon of Berman's voice sounding like mid-1970s Bob Dylan or Neil Young. This freedom of writing marks Berman out as a songwriter of great nuance and intellect as those famous troubadours but also in the footsteps of David Crosby and Ron Sexsmith.

 

The album opens with 'Why Don't You Come Out Anymore?' which is both triumphant and reflective of a time when younger they would be out everyday but now as life takes hold and responsibility appears so does the time for friends.

Second single 'New Moon' (track 2) is this soulful ballad again about reflection but of hope springing eternal at the end of day, when you look at the moon and think about the day that has passed and what has been achieved.  

From the emotive nature of 'Sun Blisters' to the yearning of 'Sylvia, the Cup of Youth' which brings to mind the prolific nature of Ryan Adams to the barnstorming 'Alone in London' which ends the album on quite a crescendo.

Tethers is out from Dirty Bingo Records on 2nd April on all formats.

When The Evil Waits - MJ Lee

 

The sixth book in the DI Ridpath series is out now from Canelo Press

Writer MJ Lee is an author of some renown, prolific and intelligent in his depiction of a searing individual who has to combat many obstacles in his day-to-day life as an assistant to the lead coroner of the Manchester region.

Lee, who writes a book a year for Ridpath, seems to reflect the social context of work to his narrative needs. This is no different in When The Evil Waits, as the action takes place over the month of August 2020 so Ridpath and all his colleagues have had to combat the threat of the global coronavirus pandemic. This helps you appreciate that all the action takes place with the police force with face masks on for the protection of all. This relatability to proceedings helps with the visualisation of the action.

In this novel we find Ridpath dealing with the ramifications of the action that ended When The Past Kills, where one key character was left fighting for their life. Ridpath is in a period of grieving, his daughter Eve is not living with him at moment while he recuperates. He has been signed off for work but he still sees his wife Polly in his dreams. So the spectre and question of if he is fit for work has to be asked by his superiors and one definitely has it in for Ridpath throughout the book.

The unity of those who support Ridpath is there for all to see, he is well liked by his peers because he gets results albeit by unfamiliar methods and gut instincts. 

This is another fine entry into the catalogue however, for this reader the depiction of the villain in this instance was not totally well rounded and a bit of a stretch for reality, yet the action in apprehending him was well told and fittingly gripping to the high standard you expect.

Lee also has fun with the depiction of the journalist who is seeking to upend the police force and their reputation all to better her own career forsaking personal relationships at any cost seemingly; this dweller of bottom feeder journalism still exists in the gossip-mongering all lights on internet.

In conclusion, while it may not have reached the heights of previous Ridpath novels like Where The Silence Calls perhaps but it is still better than some television dramas of recent times and with the in vogue Line of Duty back on our screens, sometimes it is better to remove from escapist fare on the visual medium and rejoice in the assured hand of MJ Lee with DI Ridpath for comfort.

When The Evil Waits is out now on all formats from Canelo Press.

My thanks to Canelo for the review opportunity. 

Mint Julep - In A Deep and Dreamless Sleep

New album from husband-wife duo Mint Julep, In a Deep and Dreamless Sleep out 19th March from Western Vinyl

Following on from 2019's sumptuous release Stray Fantasies, the duo of Hollie and Keith Kenniff return with a kaleidoscopic and dreamy shoegaze pop venture that is at times an extension of the previous album and a progression of the creative partnership.

From the album opener 'A Rising Sun' this is not merely an album but a mood piece of contemplation - the sun of the track is breaking through the fuzzy fog we as a listener may find ourselves in as we cope with the mounting pressures of a global pandemic and the stresses upon a person's mental health.

The rich harmonies between the two are on display on track two, 'Black Maps' with its pulsing underlying bassline and gorgeous vocals by Hollie. This track is perhaps the most familiar song structure from the pair, yet as Keith Kenniff explains, 'Our previous material tended to be structured largely in a verse/chorus setting, but these songs are more free flowing and through-composed with a focus on mood and texture.'

The ability to alter your songwriting structure from one means to another allowing the moment or feeling to navigate the song is expressed throughout the album as a shape-shifting quality rarely seen amongst groups. Yet if pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we have to learn to adapt to thrive or move forward in the post-Covid world.

The whole album seems and definitely feels like a construct of work from an alternative dimension or perhaps five minutes into the future; from the ethereal album cover featuring a multi-coloured mysterious shape dwelling near a cave - is it escaping or entering? - to the dreamy mood of psychedelia and imagination which runs the full gamut of spectrums available.

At times sparse but at other times highly emotive, this album has something for everyone and covers a range of mysticism through the use of synthesizers and guitars creating an absorbing ambient collection of romantic dream pop.

In A Deep and Dreamless Sleep is out 19th March from Western Vinyl 

Follow Mint Julep on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity.

Nightshift - Zoe

 

Debut album 'ZOE' from Glaswegian five-piece Nightshift out 26th February by Trouble in Mind Records.

The group formed in 2019 through the plethora of the Glasgow indie scene, a fertile ground for creativity and the many forms of indie music from DIY to punk with a sprinkle of experimentation.

The band consists of members from former bands Spinning Coin, 2 Ply and Robert Sotelo. They comprise of co-founders David Campbell (guitar) and Andrew Doig (bass), Eothen Stearn (keyboards/vocals) and Chris White (drums) joined to become an early Sonic Youth-esque group and the sound evolved once guitarist/vocalist Georgia Harris joined whilst the band was writing the album that would become ZOE.

Following hot on the footsteps of Black Country, New Road's debut album the sound of the best music in recent times is one of strength in numbers. Gone are the days of four member band (singer, guitar, bass, drums) and now it is a multitude of mult-instrumentalists, vocal duties shared amongst the group, the sound of community and coming together to form as one.

The group began recording the album in early 2020 and then the sound of pubs, restaurants and recording studios shutting their doors was heard across the nation and the world as the grip of Covid-19 took hold. Nightshift though took the lockdown in their stride, recording elements remotely and sharing the finds together. This meant the compositions were pieced together and producing an improvised feel to proceedings, one member adding to an idea and passing it on.

The album has a wealth of influences ranging from Brian Eno's seminal Oblique Strategies to the role of literature and philosophy, especially Rosi Bradiotti's 'The Posthuman'; this is a work that is willing to ask the key questions about self-worth, reflection and growth in the individual; whilst being aware of the surroundings that same individual is in with the importance of self, friendship and hope being paramount in this self-awareness.

While the argument can be made that all art is political, primary lyricist Stearn views the album as 'a re-claiming of public property, and a striving for social and environmental justice', the power of passing on the work and adding the next layer was a response to the loneliness an imposed lockdown may have on each person.

There is a majesty and mystery to the album from opening track 'Piece Together' and single 'Make Kin', yet the album builds up the crescendo and wonder that is 'Power Cut' the seven minute track that is full of experimentation and expression in equal measure.

This is truly a great album full of little nuggets of joy and pleasure, a miracle of community and togetherness.

Nightshift will be streaming a live concert on 27th February, the day after the album release, hosted by UK promoter, Upset the Rhythm, tickets available here.

ZOE is out from Trouble in Mind on 26th February in all formats.