Bellowhead are back and better than ever.
Mighty folk big band Bellowhead’s last release, the acclaimed “Hedonism”, seemed to encapsulate everything that was great about them: wild exuberance, chops to burn, interesting arrangements and song treatments and above all a sense of fun and having a good time. So much so in fact that there was some doubt about what they could do next and if they could top it.
“Broadside” is the answer and, if they haven’t topped it, they’ve certainly equalled it.
The noise has actually been turned down a bit (some of the time) though it may not appear so to those coming to the band for the first time as they still make a fearsome racket.
What’s been turned up is the subversion and strangeness, driven by Pete Flood and ringmaster Jon Boden’s arrangements. Songs that might be viewed as tired staples like “Byker Hill” and “Old Dun Cow” emerge almost unrecognisable from the Bellowhead cauldron and if you’re familiar with “Thousands Or More” only from The Copper Family prepared to be amazed at its transformation from stately unaccompanied piece to wild frenetic whirlwind. There’s a darkness to the music as well, with the vocals on “The Wife Of Usher’s Well” distinctly threatening while Boden gives it the full Alan Rickman on “Black Beetle Pies”. Every song is traditional and the one thing they have in common is the band’s absolute refusal to contemplate doing them in any way resembling how they’ve been done before.
By the time they bring things to a close with the relatively restrained “Go My Way” (a variant of “Walk My Way” made famous by John Tams) the ears have been subjected to a mighty and invigorating assault course that leaves pretty much everybody else in the shade.
Bellowhead are back and better than ever.
