I stand accused of stating this previously I know, but this sophomore album from Underground Railroad is definitely the album of the year – this month!
Formed in Paris around five years ago, their debut album ‘Twisted Trees’ was originally released on French label ‘Dirty Witch’ before coming to the attention of One Little Indian Records who, with their proven track record for spotting talent and potential quickly snapped them up and released it in the UK.
So much for the history lesson – what of ‘Sticks and Stones,’ then?
A release date at the end of September has been scheduled although as a precursor, the title track will be released as a single on 21st July. (This will include the track ‘Homeless Town,’ which does not appear on the album.)
The album opens with ‘Poems For Freaks’ – which features a dark, moody back-line sounding like ‘Jump Around’ by House Of Pain on mogadon. Drummer Raphael’s understated vocals play over the top as other layers of instruments and backing -vocals are added and the song builds and grows in strength towards a crashing crescendo before fading at the last.
Title track ‘Sticks and Stones’ follows with a slight ‘goth’ feel to it. Nuances of Killing Joke flit in and out and true to Underground Railroad rule number one, it again builds and finally explodes in a fury towards the end.
‘25’ starts out with fuzzed-up distorted guitar and guitarist Marion taking lead vocals. This time the mood is mid-tempo and has a bluesy feel. A little like a despondent Howling Bells. Great!
‘NYC (money money)’ is full of discordant guitar and shouted choruses. Raphael speaks, rather than sings, the lyrics like some bitter, crazed maniac with each line repeated numerous times whilst waiting for the others to join the chorus.
Musically at least the next track would be most radio-friendly, what with the simple almost Sixties- feeling chorus and harmonies. However, the title of ‘Kill Me Now (or you never will) may just preclude it from daytime schedules at least. However, it is a bit of a departure for the band and is ample evidence that they have moved on and developed their sound.
The tambourine is a much under-utilised instrument these days, don’t you think? It’s given its head in the next track, though. ‘Stuff In Your Pocket’ maintains the Sixties feel from the previous track. More psychedelic and featuring a trancy groove and keyboard / programmed hook that Alabama 3 would be proud of, Marion’s dreamy vocals and slow beat of the tambourine invoke images of the likes of a young Marianne Faithful- type.
Contrast Marion’s vocals on ‘Stuff In Your Pocket’ with the following track though! ‘One More Hit’ is a mid-tempo drone of a track with her vocals sung as if through a megaphone – more aggressive and full of angst as well. This track returns more to what Underground Railroad were originally known for.
Another surprise waits round the corner of track eight. ‘Six Pieds Sous Terre,’ is a bouncy and rather jolly little song. Then you think of the literal translation of the title. Then you realise the lyrics centre around a girl wishing Death to release her from her pain! Nice! The song also prominently features the cello, which inevitably gives it an Arcade Fire feel. (I know it’s too easy and too lazy to make direct comparisons here…but it had to be said. Damn those Arcade Fire people!) It’s a great track none-the-less.
‘New Variety’ sees Raphael return to the lead vocals, again using the ‘megaphone’ effect as synth- licks and pounding drums combine with raucous guitar-work and chanted choruses to create a frantic yet instantly delicious track.
The album closer is the slow paced ‘Idealize.’ Soft vocals (Raphael in the main but harmonised with Marion) build towards the chorus with it’s deep, rolling drums. It’s an absolutely mesmeric song, that given time and live performances could become quite an anthem for the band. Rather appropriately, it is a fitting closing track as it emphasises how far Underground Railroad have managed to diversify their sound without compromising their individual style.
Overall, the impression is of a band that has matured as a unit. While ‘Twisted Trees’ is an excellent piece of work, ‘Sticks and Stones’ is more ‘complete.’ More ‘rounded.’ More ‘everything’ really. This is a quality album and one that will define Underground Railroad as one of the Bands of 2008.