Skinny Lister – Songs From The Yonder
With the demise of The Pogues, many still have a tickle in their ear for Shane McGowan’s aggressive vocal ruggedness. Purists have found this kind of music with Great Big Sea (“When I’m Up, I Can’t Get Down”), The Toasters, Black 47, & the Dropkick Murphys (especially in Skinny’s “Set Us Straight”). But they’re all part of the same patchwork quilt.
With Skinny Lister, the melodies are solid, the vocals are striking from beginning to lift-off with “Yorkshire Belle.” Not as dark as the Tiger Lillies, Skinny Lister has a hook in the water with caviar for bait. Some would assume the foot stomping vocals would be consistent when this band smartly stabilizes their vocals with both Dan Heptinstall (vocals/guitar) & Lorna Thomas. Nice contrasts. “Song From the Yonder” is pure McGowan & Sinead O’Connor (“Haunted”) in spirit. Dan & Lorna capture brilliantly that musical energy & Lorna’s vocals add a Bette Bright & Deaf School (“All Queued Up”) balance.
There are 11 Songs From The Yonder (Dropped May 9/Xtra Mile Recordings/29:49), their 7th album. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, it was produced by Dan. While some may call this folk-punk its leanings are far more traditional as shanty-infused, labor/union rallying cries that were effectively applied to much earlier artists such as The Strawbs (“Part of the Union”), Slade (“Walking On Water, Running On Alcohol”) & The Anti-Nowhere League (“Queen & Country”).
There’s nothing nasty about these rollicking, sometimes rowdy tunes. It’s voices that project splendid positive vibrations that entice the feet to dance, spill the beer, sneak a kiss, & raise some dust. The kicker in these infectious melodies sewn together with wire by the enthusiastic musicians is how they display the heavy-handed but skillful instrumentation. Superb arrangements — consistent throughout.
“Tumbling Into Something” is unadulterated musicality by a talented team of exultant players & features Lorna with her fine voice mindful of the Melanie Safka-like voice of Alison Marr of the London band Lick the Tins (“Can’t Help Falling In Love,” & “It Looks Like You”). Wonderful ballad sung also with the delicacy of a Mary Hopkin (“Goodbye”). “Everything” & “Back To the Battle” are two other fascinating tunes.
Criticism? One. The CD package is poor. It tells me nothing about the music or band. Nothing in this artwork suggests the working-class roots of the songs. The band members’ names are obscured by a plastic tray. They should’ve used the Jacob Riis classic B&W picture of “Bandits Roost.”
Highlights – “Yorkshire Belle,” “Set Us Straight,” “Song From the Yonder,” “Tumbling Into Something,” “Bristol Bound,” “Everything,” & “Back To the Battle.”
Musicians – Max Thomas (accordion), Tim Hillson (drums) & Scott Milsom (bass/double bass).
Color image courtesy of Josh Massie. All songs by Skinny Lister. CD @ https://skinnylister.com/
