Tender, Delicate and Heartfelt
When you take stock and consider from which parts of this auld island exciting new music is most likely to emerge; you will probably (depending on individual whims) name one of the following: London, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol or even Leeds. It’s fairly safe to say that not a great many would name Norwich as the musical mecca of Great Britain. Ah, Norwich! Home of Colman’s Mustard, Delia Smith, Bernard Matthews and of course Alan Partridge. It stands as a city which according to the cultural barometer that is Wikipedia, is considered as “remote, unsophisticated, gauche and out of step with national trends”. However, as I am sure a greater prophet than myself (Barry Davies perhaps?), once preached “out of adversity can come joy”; and such is the case with this superbly jaded slice of melancholia from Norwich’s own Rory McVicar.
Describing himself as “the indie Larry David”, McVicar’s brand of self deprecating, singer-songwriter satire owes a little to Badly Drawn Boy, nods in the direction of George Harrison and all in all is rather delightful. Sandwiched in a genre and current musical climate which is chocca-bloc with whimsical, bedwetting indie boys armed with delusions of being a neo-classicist song-smith; McVicar’s work stands out due to its delicacy, humour and his shining ability as both as a songwriter and a supremely emotive vocalist. “No More Do I Care” is written from a world-weary and resigned perspective, its lyrics are sharp, intelligent and considered; and its breezy chorus and elegant musicality make it a very beautiful track indeed.