In Larrikin Land, seaside towns and open pastures are to be embraced as much as downing Grand Ole’ Parr down the dockyard or getting embroiled with strewn wenches. The Freedom Spark’ brims with romantic English imagery; fiddles flourish and Calypso-jives erupt with no warning whatsoever. But don’t shelve their excessive inspirations though, because there’s some unspeakably catchy and well-educated pop songs on ‘�Freedom Spark’. Classic Brit Pop, Irish folk, Ska, Prog, Brass Skiffle…call it what you will, Larrikin are certainly one of the most eccentric bands out there (yup- thwaking cowbells with mannequin arms and arriving for interviews on toddlers’ bicycles).
‘�The Freedom Spark’s triumph lies in every song’s core and gives everyone something they can relate to; it celebrates and despises Britain in equal measure.
Recently likened to The Libertines (presumably due to uber eccentric Ed Larrikin’s thankfully-less-skaggy vocal delivery) and Mystery Jets, Larrikin are undoubtedly about to drop one of the most eclectic and inspirational British albums of the year.
The band have recently spoke of wishing to completely reinvent their sound for each LP. So toast this for now, as ‘�next time we could do an album influenced by the Bhundu Boys’� they’ve told. Cripes, best get the Togos in!
