The Duckworth Lewis Method [CD]

Part of our Two CDs for £9 offer*

Firstly, for anyone not in the know, The Duckworth Lewis Method is an Irish duo comprised of Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) and Thomas Walsh (Pugwash) and they describe this, their debut (and surely only?) album as "a kaleidoscopic musical adventure through the beautiful and rather silly world of cricket.". Yes, you read that right, it's a concept album about the sport of cricket. Wait, please come back, keep reading - it's much better than it sounds, I promise. In fact, if you're a fan of The Divine Comedy, you're more than likely going to love this extremely light-hearted, melodic album because, if not for Walsh's involvement, this could easily have been released under that moniker and nobody would have batted an eyelid. It may even have sold better, but that's pure speculation. If not for the Irish blood running throughout this release, you could be forgiven for saying that "The Duckworth Lewis Method" is a thoroughly English album - to be frank, because of the subject matter, I'm doubtful of the international appeal of their self-titled debut, but I could be wrong. I can see this being regarded as the "Village Green Preservation Society" for 2009.

Even if you're not well versed in the rules of or the characters in cricket, hopefully the music should be enough to keep you listening and appreciate what is on offer here. There are shades of classic and eccentric melodic rock in the vein of ELO, XTC, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and, perhaps not surprisingly, early Divine Comedy, all of which are more than apparent on the magnificent "Gentlemen and Players". The vaudeville elements of the album bring to mind Noel Coward, Paul McCartney and even Flanders & Swann in the case of the incredible "Jiggery Pokery", the hilarious story of the "Ball Of The Century" delivered by Shane Warne to a hapless Mike Gatting. It's a beautifully eclectic album as well, taking in electronically-enhanced glam-rock stompers such as the funny, double-entendre filled "Sweet Spot", the jazz-touches of "The Age Of Revolution", the sumptuous baroque, harpsichord pop of "Flatten The Hay" and the soaring ballad "The Nightwatchman" which seems to fit in somewhere between the realms of Scott Walker and Jeff Lynne at their headiest powers. Speaking of Jeff Lynne, there are very strong echoes of The Electric Light Orchestra on the album closer, "The End Of The Over" - very "Out Of The Blue".

Although I'm well aware that this record may not be everybody's cup of tea, personally, I love it and can't find fault with any of the contents at all. The whole project is played out with loving care, craftsmanship and irrepressible charm. Each and every track hits the sweet spot for me and I can't recommend it highly enough. Pardon the pun, but it's hit me for six. Well played, chaps!

It's very quirky and it's a cricket concept album. But never mind that. This record is choc full of mesmerizing pop gems, a real soundtrack to the summer with bouncy and funky tracks here, sweet smiley stuff there and, just over there, hilarity abounds. The only person who won't like this record is Mike Gatting. And even he'll probably like it.

Great Album!!! I shall explain some of the cricket terms and names used in the album.

1) Duckworth-Lewis. A score generated scientifically when rain has interrupted play. It takes in to account existing score, overs left to play, wickets needed etc.

2) The coin toss. This happens at the start of each cricket game. The winner decides whether they want to bat or field first. Weather conditions etc, play a crucial role in which way to choose.

3) Twenty/20 (as hinted in "The Age of Revolution"). It is a relatively new form of the game where each team receives a maximum of just 120 balls each (20 overs). It is therefore a fast paced game with crowd pleasing big-hitting.

4) Gentlemen and Players. As cricket is steeped in Englishness, the landed gentry (Gentleman) used to play with the riff raff like me (Players)

5) The Sweet Spot. This is a scientific term used for a very small area of the cricket bat. When the player connects with this exact spot (called timing the ball) it will invariably go for a four (when the ball goes to the boundary line after it has grounded) or a six (when the ball goes over the line without bouncing)

6) Jiggery Pokery. This is all about Shane Warne. He was (and maybe still is) the greatest spinner of the cricket ball in history. The story tells of Mike Gatting facing Warnes first ball in English cricket. This has become known as "The Ball of the Century"

7) Mr. Javed Miandad. He was a great Pakistani cricketer. Not as prolific as Don Bradman (Aussie) but holds many records.

8) Dickie Bird. An exceptional cricket umpire, since retired.

9) Night-watchman. In test cricket when the play is due to end and the batting team lose a player, instead of sending out a new batsman, the captain sends a non-batsman to the crease. This preserves the proper batsman for tomorrows play. The non-batsman is told just to defend the wickets and not to get out. Sometimes they do, which is very embarrassing for the batting team.

10) "Athers" refers to Mike Atherton, a former English captain now a commentator for Sky Sports. Not a bad captain, but far from an historical best.

Anyway hope this helps the non-cricketers with this utterly brilliant CD.