A delightful collection of pop songs, with a twist
Changing Horses are a British indie group with a twist. Citing The Incredible String band and The Fall as influences and comprising of Richard Birtill (vocals and guitar) and Francesca Cullen (vocals, violin, mandolin and melodeon), they made a name for themselves on the live circuit and were taken to Nashville by Chris Donohue (who also produced Emmylou Harris and Elvis Costello, no less) to record what would become The Nashville Sessions. Donohue's assistance no doubt lent itself well to the tracks laid down, and what we are presented with is a brilliant collection of conventional pop melodies presented in a delightfully unconventional way.
Speaking as a massive Fall fan, the music here is a damn sight more easily accessible than The Fall, but still retains a certain originality in its approach. The songs structure themselves around typical wistful love songs, but the music backing them is anything but conventionally pop, featuring deftly played string arrangements that complement the guitar and mandolin incredibly well.
Cut All Strings is about as good an opener as you could ask for, grabbing you instantly with its infectious, driving riff and impassioned vocals. The lyrics are great as well, reflecting on a break up: "Cut all strings; make sure that I don't exist. Do you laugh with him? The way we used to laugh". It would not be surprising if a lot of people said they could relate to them. As the track progresses it becomes backed by a racing drumbeat and accompanied by atmospheric strings, brilliantly played, which adds a brilliant depth to it. The chorus then brings us lilting vocal harmonies and nice lyrical turns like "Spinning from the circumstantial serotonin", as it becomes abundantly clear it has garnered radio play and was used in an HBO documentary, with its uplifting feel. An absolutely great folk-pop song and a definite highlight of The Nashville Sessions.
Let's Go Dancing begins quite quietly, but shortly builds up into a quality number backed by an intricate array of strings, guitar, and drums, whilst Birtill sings infectiously over the top, the totally infectious refrain of "I am so tired of being alone, let's go dancing." Elsewhere, 1 Million Screaming Angels opens in a twee style, again with lovely harmonies throughout, before the strings again come in and give the song a new depth. Favourite lyric here: "We should be joined at the hips, we are Siamese twins." But don't let these opening tracks lull you into thinking Changing Horses are a one trick outfit: Tom Brown's School Days is noticeably darker.
Til Death Do Us Part is a testament to the group's songwriting, and their ability to surprise. Dressed up as a downplayed, quiet, truly melodic ballad, the lyrics are the most macabre and brilliantly tongue-in-cheek on here, completely reversing the traditional love song to brilliant effect. "Sometimes I leave a radio by the bath tub, in the hope that tragedy becomes good luck...I think that I would enjoy killing you."
The Nashville Sessions will be a hard record to stop playing once you start: it grabs you instantly and holds you in its lovelorn grasp. The playing is very accomplished and melodic throughout, and the group demonstrate their originality and sheer quality on every track.