The Freedom Spark

Sometimes theres a band that relights your eternal quest for good music. Music you like, music that makes your feet uncontrollably tap. But this is more than that, your whole body wants to be tapped against the floor, you want the drummer to use your own head as his bass drum so you can feel apart of the wonder that your ears are being tickled by!

But don't get me wrong, Larrikin won't tickle your ears, they'll lick them, and suck them until you can't take anymore, and just when you think you are going to explode into a mess of red polka dot scarfs and skinny jeans they stop. And start all over again!

I've had the joy to see them live, but even though staring into the back of hundreds of like minded revellers, I've come away knowing that these floppy haired londoners have stolen my heart and my ears.

If you liked The Libertines when they were at their best, you've always played your Dads old Ska LPs and you think that a dash of folk is actually quite cool, then buy this album. I defy you to not jig around your living room like a crazed fool!

Before this album came out, I was already well acquainted with the work of Larrikin Love; having seen them several times, and knowing them reasonably personally. I heard the album and, at first, had reservations over the re-recordings of the demos I had previously heard. However, these fears were later extinguished.

I think the album signifies an important change and shift in the priorities of the indie music scene. A movement from the decrepit and decaying focus on urban life, to the pastoral idyll and joy of the countryside; this representing the clear influence on Edward Larrikin, the lead singer and songwriter, of romanticism. Clear examples of this influence can be seen such as, 'send my love to the city, for I'll be having an affair this summer' and 'to prance and dance and sing around, which is not condoned in the centre of town'. However, the clearest example being the song entitled 'Little Boy Lost', not on the album, but a great song of theirs nevertheless; this song being the title of a poem by the romantic poet William Blake.

It must be said that it is not merely the lyrical content to the music, to which should be applauded. The lyrics are couple with jinky Irish influences, and the site of a violin or fiddle is not unknown by any means. These pogue-esque beats are what give the music its popular appeal.

When these beats and jigs (their words, not mine) are coupled with the romantic lyrics, as well as the charisma of Edward larrikin and the vibrancy of live performances, it is only able to see this band establishing a mainstream audience.

The highlights have to be `Happy as Annie', `Downing Street Kindling' and `Meet me by the Getaway Car'. However, the construction of the album as being split into the three subsections; 'Hate', 'Fairytale' and 'Freedom' are a delight themselves.

If you are at all interested in romanticism, the development of popular music or have an ear well adhered to the sound of an Irish fiddle, I would certainly buy this album.

I'm fed up with lazy journalists comparing this band to the libertines... it seems like you can't write a catchy song these days without being compared to Pete or Carl. Well, i assure you that this band are truly superb and the album should get them the recognition they deserve as artists in their own right. This really is a wonderful piece of work from a truly creative, inspiring and original band. I cannot reccomend it highly enough.