This is the 3rd release in what is, at the moment, a trilogy of side projects, Diversions Vol 3 is a score written for a new film by Richard Fenwick, Songs from the Shipyards, tracing the history of the shipbuilding industry using a compilation of archive footage. I have been a Unthanks fan since first I heard their angelic voices meld in harmony. Big Steamers is a favourite here at the Monastery.
But even alone, the album’s jigsaw puzzle mix of song, spoken word and shipyard sound is a haunting folk portrait of a community bearing the emotional and physical weight of industry.
The intimacy of the freshly cut-back band distills the power of a capella showstopper ‘Fairfield Crane’, performed with characteristic sharpness by Rachel Unthank. Jez Lowe’s ‘Taking on Men’ becomes a short and bittersweet recession anthem, immediate as carol singers at your front door, while a cover of ‘Shipbuilding’ is equally focused but rounded out with a lush arrangement, almost choral.
At just a nudge under ten minutes long, ‘The Romantic Tees’ is comparatively expansive, a mix of spoken word, working boat launch sounds and song in three parts, with a patchwork feel. With Graeme Miles’ words rejecting romanticisation of the river with an audible raised eyebrow (‘The ‘romantic’ Tees?’), producer and ‘deviser’ Adrian McNally finds a break in the at times chocolate box melodies of the album at large.
Elsewhere, sweet, impressionistic lullabies and eerie seaside waltzes are again undercut by lyrics insisting on the reality of declining industry and its impact. Diversions Vol 3 paints an incisive portrait of England’s industrial heritage, even beyond the rivers of the North East.
The Romantic Tees (prelude) reminds me of Snoopy from Peanuts in a very melancholy or introspective mood. It is so soft and sweet, it should be a nice lullaby to go to sleep to.
ReplyDeleteBlack Trade stands out--the subject is dark, the violins add a nice touch, the piano is gorgeous as they are in all of these songs, but I especially like how the women sing the same melody--then in rounds together. They have sweet, clear voices that, imo, are stronger and most effective when sung together.
The next few songs, while good, started to sound too much the same to me.
Now, the Romantic Tees is cracking me up. That guy just keeps saying "The Romantic Tees" over and over....which makes it funny to me. The music is still gorgeous, and I like the building up at around 3 minutes in, the bumblebee sound from the violins (reminds me of the bee violins in Lost in the Trees' "Golden Eyelids"). But as we cross the halfway mark, it's a different song, really, and I do like how they use nature and industrial sounds in their music (I still think the first half of the song is funny; it doesn't matter whether they meant to be).
Shipbuilding is the most complex, in some ways, on here. It makes you really stop and pay attention to the words. And again, I love the voices here more together rather than sung apart. I like the fellow's voice WITH the women's.
Monkey Dung Man...? I am not sure what I think.
Taking on Men is a statement on so many capitalist societies now...lament those days when jobs were readily available?
Only Remembered is depressing....maybe I will listen to it at another time.
Thanks for sharing these...there are some really soothing and thoughtful songs on this album!
u r welcome! Always a pleasure to read your take on things. I usually find myself nodding my head - a good thing - and yes, that part of the song was supposed to be funny in a sarcastic kinda way.
ReplyDeletegood to hear from u
hope all is well...
same to ya! :-)
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