David Ford - Songs For The Road (album)
Right from the first notes of this album, it's obvious that this is what I call 'marmite music' – you either love it or hate it. It's a curious mixture of the comfortable and familiar, whilst also adding a brand new twist to the acoustic singer-songwriter genre.
This is David Ford's second album, and it picks up exactly where 'I Sincerely Apologise For The Trouble I've Caused' left off. Upbeat, bouncy orchestral backing provides a strange background to the ponderous, melancholy, and often downright miserable lyrics. Think David Gray jamming with Mark Knopfler and the Manic Street Preachers, and you're almost there.
The gentle music provides an unobtrusive background for the lyrics to take centre stage in this record, particularly the curiously singalong chorus of 'I'm Alright Now'. Opener 'Go To Hell' is like a slap in the face, albeit cushioned somewhat by the gentle orchestration, leaving you emotional and yet numb at the same time. In fact, all the songs on this album could be described as beautiful, romantic, angry, and mournful all at the same time. Which doesn't help when trying to pigeonhole Ford's genre: is he pop? Acoustic? Folk? Country? Probably a combination of all of the above, and more. The genius of this approach is that the music seems at once stripped down, whilst still utilising a full backing wash of music.
But this is still marmite music. If you're not already into heavy, wordy lyrics Manics-style, or the radio-friendly acoustic stylings of Coldplay, give this one a miss. Its ponderous, angsty love songs will only annoy you. However, if you're looking for a record to match a desolate mood, this would be it. The album is quite heavy going – you wouldn't call it light listening, and it's almost impossible to listen to all nine tracks in one go, a problem easily solved with an mp3 player and a 'shuffle' button.
Despite its shortcomings, this is a unique, well produced album that has a lot to offer. While the simple music enhances the lyrics, it could also be accused of being too simple. After a while the tracks sound a bit alike. But then again, if heartbroken songs of love and loss stopped being re-written, the whole music industry would be out of a job, so don't judge it too harshly on that count. What matters is the delicate emotional web that Ford weaves with words, and the connection Ford makes with his audience.
Standout tracks include the single, 'Decimate', the jaunty 'St. Peter, and the haunting 'Requiem'.
01. Go To Hell
02. Decimate
03. I'm Alright Now
04. Song For The Road
05. Train
06. St Peter
07. Nobody Tells Me What To Do
08. Requiem
09. ...And So You Fell