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Product Description
Review
Recorded at Glasgow’s Chem 19 studio by ex-Delgado Paul Savage, Admiral Fallow’s debut album will warm the cockles of those still lamenting the disbanding of the Mercury nominees, whose wonderful third LP, 2000’s The Great Eastern, remains a north-of-the-border classic. This is a set that mixes melancholic folk with soar-away pop melodies, heartbroken lyricism with insistent guitar motifs, elevating strings with sing-along choruses. It’s simultaneously the most devastatingly downtrodden and the most wonderfully uplifting LP to have passed these ears in some time. It leaves an instant impression: the kind that stirs the listener into playing the record again, right away; and then probably once more.
The band is fronted by Louis Abbott, a songwriter who previously acted as lynchpin in the Brother Louis Collective. That outfit reached the end of its natural course in 2007, and since then the musicians in question have pursued their art under the banner of Admiral Fallow. It’s an intriguing name: one that suggests a mindset that’s happy with an underwhelming lot, content to lead the way towards a certain creative stasis. Ironic, too, as clearly there’s inspiration aplenty at play here. From the very first song, Dead Against Smoking, ambition and ability are presented to the fore with such studied focus that to turn away is impossible. It’s a gentle amble compared to some of what will follow, but more than a meander through indie-folk tradition; the souls here are more swelled with pride, and fear of what can be lost, than those heard steering Mumford & Sons to chart success. Admiral Fallow perhaps have more in common with Fence Collective-leader King Creosote, whose own songs possess a similar blackened-and-bruised charm.
That said, these songs are fuller than any solo artist’s typical fare, rich in layers and deep of textures. Flute, piano, upright bass and clarinet sing out; cello, violin and viola courtesy of the Cairn String Quartet lend additional volume to proceedings. The album’s first left turn comes towards the end of Subbuteo, a nostalgic ode to a time fresh in the mind but left behind by aching bones: after a committed vocal from Abbott – "It might sound dull / But dull is sometime’s all we have" – the piece erupts with an almighty crash of drums and brass. It’s like an Adem album has just been gatecrashed by Arcade Fire.
And on it goes, surprising and enthralling, entrancing through simplicity, through finely crafted material played superbly well. It is, probably, the best album of folk-goes-indie-with-a-Scottish-accent since The Great Eastern. The band never over-stretches itself; Abbott never sings as if his life truly depends on it. And he’s right to do so: there are more important things in this world than songs, of course. But there are plenty of songs here that will perfectly complement the significant moments in your own life.
--Mike Diver
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CD Description
Admiral Fallow, formed in Glasgow, are a gathering of precocious talent fronted by the young foot-stamping, faintly maniacal singer/song-writer Louis Abbott. They are fiercely proud of their roots with Abbott's Scottish accent to the fore in his singing, contrasting magically with the Northumbrian tones of Sarah Hayes, the second vocalist. The band melds clarinet, flute, double bass and two jaw-dropping voices to the usual indie line-up to deliver their joyous, heart-filled, orchestral, beautifully eccentric and well crafted songs.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Originally released in 2010 'Boots Met My Face' flew under
my radar. It's second surfacing in the listening world is
cause for celebration. Admiral Fallow deserve to be heard.
Singer/writer Louis Abbott is the heart and soul of the ensemble
and he has written a collection of eleven largely autobiographical
songs. Gritty, funny, whistful, affecting and inspired.
His deeply personal reflections and imagery tell a story of a life
lived well. Highs and lows; the agony and the ecstasy; up close
and personal; his fine voice brings it all to bristling life with his
melifluous tone and warm Scottish accent. The tunes are good too!
Sometimes things are so stripped-down, as with the bitterly moving
'Delivered', that there is no room to hide from Mr Abbott's gaze.
The intensity and the authenticity of the song leaves scorch-marks
in the soul. A song to treasure and to fear in equal measure.
There is pathos too in 'Subbuteo'. Memories of a rough and ready
childhood woven in and out of a truly stunning instrumental
arrangement. Folksy-chamber-pop of the most refined pedigree.
The coda devivers a marvellous eruption of woodwind, brass and
drums which gives the closet skeletons a damned good rattle!
It is this marriage of vivid story-telling and emotion which
keeps our attention engaged and imagination richly satisfied.
'Old Balloons' is a multi-layered and beautifully sustained idea.
There is both fragility and raw power at work here. One moment
it's a toy musical box, the next it's a great grinding leviathan.
At almost seven minutes long, 'Dead Leg' is Mr Abbott's finest
performance. The hurt is palpable but reaches for the sublime.
The plaintive dirge-like chords of final track 'The Sad Clown Cast'
bring this stunning album to a luminous dream-like conclusion.
There's a little bit of all kinds of life in these songs.
I felt strangely priviledged to share the journey.
Highly Recommended.
my radar. It's second surfacing in the listening world is
cause for celebration. Admiral Fallow deserve to be heard.
Singer/writer Louis Abbott is the heart and soul of the ensemble
and he has written a collection of eleven largely autobiographical
songs. Gritty, funny, whistful, affecting and inspired.
His deeply personal reflections and imagery tell a story of a life
lived well. Highs and lows; the agony and the ecstasy; up close
and personal; his fine voice brings it all to bristling life with his
melifluous tone and warm Scottish accent. The tunes are good too!
Sometimes things are so stripped-down, as with the bitterly moving
'Delivered', that there is no room to hide from Mr Abbott's gaze.
The intensity and the authenticity of the song leaves scorch-marks
in the soul. A song to treasure and to fear in equal measure.
There is pathos too in 'Subbuteo'. Memories of a rough and ready
childhood woven in and out of a truly stunning instrumental
arrangement. Folksy-chamber-pop of the most refined pedigree.
The coda devivers a marvellous eruption of woodwind, brass and
drums which gives the closet skeletons a damned good rattle!
It is this marriage of vivid story-telling and emotion which
keeps our attention engaged and imagination richly satisfied.
'Old Balloons' is a multi-layered and beautifully sustained idea.
There is both fragility and raw power at work here. One moment
it's a toy musical box, the next it's a great grinding leviathan.
At almost seven minutes long, 'Dead Leg' is Mr Abbott's finest
performance. The hurt is palpable but reaches for the sublime.
The plaintive dirge-like chords of final track 'The Sad Clown Cast'
bring this stunning album to a luminous dream-like conclusion.
There's a little bit of all kinds of life in these songs.
I felt strangely priviledged to share the journey.
Highly Recommended.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
Let's celebrate it from the rooftops: the Deacon Blue revival is finally upon us. If The Last Battle (and of course Frightened Rabbit) herald a renaissance in melodic Scottish rock, then leading the charge are Glasgow pop heartbreakers Admiral Fallow - formerly Brother Louis Collective - a six-piece who harmoniously conflate male/female interchange, choral bombast and grey-blue Scottish imagery (the sea, the sky, our tears, the rain).
From soaring anatomic nocturne `Dead Against Smoking' to combative folk-rock symphony `Subbutteo' (which unleashes a delirious and unexpected final nigh-on minute of prog), Admiral Fallow are set to soundtrack our forthcoming festivals, fireworks and Hogmanays.
From soaring anatomic nocturne `Dead Against Smoking' to combative folk-rock symphony `Subbutteo' (which unleashes a delirious and unexpected final nigh-on minute of prog), Admiral Fallow are set to soundtrack our forthcoming festivals, fireworks and Hogmanays.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
For some considerable time now there has been quite a buzzing indy/folk scene in Scotland which has not totally crossed over to the mainstream and it is rather fitting that this album is produced by a Delgado. The Delgados, well worth investigating, have been major players along with other great acts such as King Creosote and various members of the Fence Collective.
Anyway, onto the music.. Louis Abbot, the front man and main vocalist of Admiral Fellow is a genuine troubadour. In his liner notes to this release he explains that the album - and it is very definitely a consistent "class from start to finish" affair - is essentially about growing up; scrapes, love, heartache, experimentation and loss.
Boots Met My Face, an apt nostalgic title, makes you sad and full of zest in one sitting, it is a beautiful rollercoaster ride that will have you almost in tears one moment and dancing and tapping your feet the next. Rich with top playing and gorgeous subtle horns and strings it is a masterpiece musically. Add to that Garveyesque vocals and male/female interplay what we have here is a bonafide modern
classic. Lyrically it is nothing short of a story, a roadtrip through youth and its trials and tribulations which we have all experienced in varying degrees.
If you like the sincerity of Elbow and I am Kloot etc, the beauty of a song like Geraldine by Glasvegas and the musicality of top Americana like Lambchop, Sparklehorse and Vic Chesnutt then you are going to absolutely adore this album. I love this album, I can't stop playing it, ESSENTIAL KIT, this band have a great future.
Anyway, onto the music.. Louis Abbot, the front man and main vocalist of Admiral Fellow is a genuine troubadour. In his liner notes to this release he explains that the album - and it is very definitely a consistent "class from start to finish" affair - is essentially about growing up; scrapes, love, heartache, experimentation and loss.
Boots Met My Face, an apt nostalgic title, makes you sad and full of zest in one sitting, it is a beautiful rollercoaster ride that will have you almost in tears one moment and dancing and tapping your feet the next. Rich with top playing and gorgeous subtle horns and strings it is a masterpiece musically. Add to that Garveyesque vocals and male/female interplay what we have here is a bonafide modern
classic. Lyrically it is nothing short of a story, a roadtrip through youth and its trials and tribulations which we have all experienced in varying degrees.
If you like the sincerity of Elbow and I am Kloot etc, the beauty of a song like Geraldine by Glasvegas and the musicality of top Americana like Lambchop, Sparklehorse and Vic Chesnutt then you are going to absolutely adore this album. I love this album, I can't stop playing it, ESSENTIAL KIT, this band have a great future.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A must buy
Excellent second album, a must for everyone. There first album was fab and I think this one betters it. A good up and coming talent
Published 3 days ago by Carol Sanderson
Great album
I heard Admiral Fallow for the first time when they were supporting Snow Patrol in Glasgow in February 2012. Read more
Published 2 months ago by floflo
Edith, you can keep it
The sticker with endorsement from Radio 1's Edith Bowman should have been enough to warm me off, but I stuck with it for a while. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ibbots
Excellent
Delivered quickly and great Crimbo pressie :-)Going to see said band at Celtic Connections 2012 so this will help to join in on the night after a few refreshments !!
Published 5 months ago by Paulo0407
Admiral Fallow - amazing
We saw these guys at Latitude by accident, and it was about the best accident ever! Such amazing energy, and beautiful vocals - love the flute too it just adds another layer. Read more
Published 6 months ago by LizzieP
Amdmiral Fallow
chanced across these guys a few months ago and have loved them ever since. the album is amazing, full of beautiful, melodic songs that are wonderfully easy to connect to. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Cranna
Excellent
4.5 stars - I saw this band when they supported the Felice Brothers earlier this year in Bristol, I'd never heard of them before but was blown away. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Noel Mullin
A breath of fresh air
This recording is simply a breath of fresh air. Ask yourself this - how many albums have I that contain absolutely no duff or filler songs? Well add this to the list. Read more
Published 19 months ago by M. Sidaway
Won't get the credit it deserves!
A very good CD with plenty of tracks that take you back to your childhood and teen years. Very moody with some very entertaining lyrics.
Published 19 months ago by Thumper
purely amazing
LOve this Band so much,having heard on radio then went to see live at Belladrum ! Postman watching daily for delivery of the most amazing album and wow!! Read more
Published 21 months ago by Highlandlass
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