It,s so confusing . After releasing their debut called imaginatively Tindersticks the band released their follow up album in 1995 . A double album it too was called even less imaginatively Tindersticks , though it is referred to as The Second album by fans. Like i say it,s a tad confusing but i,m willing to forgive the band just about anything for The Second album is the finest thing they have ever done....a ravishing collection of consummate songs performed with the bands requisite scuffed majesty .
If anything this album saw the band expand their trademark sound from their debut . There is the usual array of guitars, violin, trumpet, vibraphone, glockenspiel , bassoon , organ, clarinet etc but the sound was considerably fleshed out with lush and dramatic string arrangements courtesy of then band member Dickon James Hinchcliffe.
While these are a key element in making this album so special what really elevates The Second Album into the truly extraordinary is the quality of the song writing . There are half a dozen songs on this album that see this terrific band right at the height of their fulsome powers.
Though the album has the epic dark comedy of "My Sister", sprightly instrumental interludes, the wistful regret of "No More Affairs" and the burnished waltz of "She,s Gone" the real joy comes from a series of monumental ballads. "Travelling Light" is a duet featuring Carla Torgensen of the excellent Walkabouts. The vocal interplay between her slightly weary textured voice and Stuart Staples nicotine stained mumble is superb and the stately strings give the song a portentous weight. "Mistakes" builds ominously with Staples intoning regretfully about "Mistakes i,ve made , like the one, you know the one" and how "I,ve had my strings cut" before a gut wrenching crescendo. The tumbling piano on "Talk To Me" gives a sinuous spine to broad brooding strings and a tale of regret. However the albums real tour de force is "Tiny Tears" .This song stands , for me , as the bands single finest moment -a monumental ballad with an empathetic expressive string arrangement, a truly breath taking sweeping middle eight and arguably Stuart Staples finest vocal performance. The most lavish praise i can heap on this song is that it would,nt sound out of place on The Divine Comedy,s extraordinary "A Short Album About Love".
This album is right up there with my favourite double albums....hell, it,s up there with my favourite albums, double or otherwise. It,s one of those albums that once you hear the first notes of opening track "El Diablo En El Ojo" you have to listen to in full.It might be confusing to have two albums called Tindersticks but you really can,t go wrong with either of them . For me though this is The Tindersticks album to own...irrespective of moniker. An enrapturing invigorating experience that leaves you in awe of it,s musicianship and euphorically bereft at the frailty of human relationships.