Being a bit late to the game, the fact that this debut from Charlie Ward’s album shares its title with Talk Talk’s 80s debut has been already discussed – with particular reference to the fact that the two couldn’t be much further apart.
Apart, that is, from the fact that they are both very fine albums, and putting anyone in the same frame as Mark Hollis and co is praise indeed.
The point however is that despite King Post Kitsch’s undoubted pop slant, the 2011 ‘version’ of The Party’s Over is something of a lo-fi gem, and one which fits nicely into the Song, by Toad roster with its poppy garage-y feel an ideal companion to the work of Jesus H Foxx or even Meursault.
Lead single ‘Don’t You Touch My Fucking Honeytone’ is the tune that’s made all the headlines, if that’s the right description of the understated underground release method of a label like Toad, but ‘Walking On Eggshells’ and ‘Fante’s Last Stand’ are just two tracks that show a diversity of songwriting that is as unexpected as it is welcome.
An album that deserves to be heard far outwith the usual indie circles.
