Knocking’ On Heavens Door!
Sometimes it’s easy to overlook some of the singer/songwriters here in Blighty, especially those that favour a more chilled guitar and vocal, or acoustic melody set up. This is not deliberate it’s just that there are so many, and certainly at Room Thirteen Towers we get a new batch every week. However Mr Williams isn’t trying to save the world, he’s not rallying around for a popular hippy organisation, nor is he spinning intricate love poetry. No, what you get is a man of the people with lyrics that everyone can relate to. He is the guy next to you on the bus with the addiction to chewing gum loudly; the feller down the pub in the corner with his life in his Tescos bag (or any other carrying container from a popular supermarket); he is the bloke that walks past the window of your house everyday, but you have no idea where in your street he lives; Tom Williams is all of these men and many more like them…
First track, ‘24’ is a classic example of all that I have written so far. The starting lyrics go, “Young white male, 5’9”, size 9 shoes, sighed…” the description of an average man, of average height, with average sized feet. The song is mid-tempo and there is more than a passing resemblance to Frank Turner (with whom they’ve supported), but it’s the true honesty of him that makes the band successful. Next song, ‘Concentrate’ is slightly higher tempo and a little more middle of the road Folk/Rock, but I mean this as a compliment. It is also a song that brings in his back up band The Boat, which is made up of five members, that include guitars, drums, bass, keyboards and violin. “Me, I’m a modern man!” Tom sings in this one.
Things then slow down for the Dylan-sque, ‘Mary’ that has a harmonica to start and then the slow strings and back up female vocals of Geri that really enhances the song. Whilst this is a song of heartbreak, it’s an Irish voice short of something by The Pogues, which is really saying something. ‘Voicemail’ is a little like The Crimea, without the wacky vocal style, but in a nice arrangement, bordering on something rocky whilst never deviating too far from their Folk roots. ‘Doing My Best’ is clean mid-tempo track, with some deep and heartfelt lyrics, proving once again that Tom doesn’t have a problem with stripping himself naked for the world to see as he expresses his thoughts, his fears and his ability to tell you everything about himself in a bunch of four-minute songs. The EP finishes with the short sharp shot of jingle-jangle melodies that has an Indie/Pop feel to it without compromising on the quality of lyrics. A nice finish showing that the band are something a little bit special.
Hailing from Tunbridge Wells, Tom Williams & The Boat are a fine band, and this is a very good EP. So whilst there are many knocking on the door of the genre, they will be one of the few that may very well make it through.