Soaring violins and military drum beats open this dreamy, cinematic debut album from London’s The High Wire. The band sound similar to late 90s Britpop band, Ooberman, with their joyful, many layered vocals, intricate melodies and hazy of guitars which gently wash over you.
Taken individually, tracks such as the summery, ‘You Don’t Know What I Know’ or the light-as-a-feather ‘Saint Bees’ are gorgeous, lush songs which herald the beginning of long, lazy summer days in the sun.
It is indeed a lovely record, packed with simple, heartfelt tunes, but after a while it is hard not to switch off from it all. The sugary sweet pop songs complete with their jazzy horn section and string harmonies begin to merge together and the initial rush of euphoria experienced at the start of the album ebbs away leaving you feeling flat, tired and distinctly underwhelmed.
It’s a shame as ‘Ahead Of The Rain’ is a lovely, dreamy record – but unfortunately, it seems to be a little too much to handle.
