Ryan's Gig Guide - September 2018

 recalling Nancy Sinatra on SomeVelvet Morning. But this description’s a crude ap- proximation of small aspects of a whole which sounds utterly unlike any of those, and breathtaking though it is, odds are they’ll never record anything like it again, but the same could be said for the rest of the album. Faust’s Hans-Joachim Irmler shows up on keyboards and The Lovely Eggs’ Holly Blackwell adds her languid voice to Big Dave, but the album’s real shock is that the band has now gelled to an unspoken, nearly psychic interplay. Captain Beef- heart, one of Robert Lloyd’s musical heroes, is best known for the difficult-but- classic Trout Mask Replica, and like that album, this one contains nary a ‘hit’, yet here every song sticks in the brain and grooves . . . outclassing Beefheart’s master- piece by virtue of its effortless charm. John Peel once said,“Their performances will serve to confirm their excellence when we are far enough distanced from the 1980s to look at the period rationally and other, infinitely better known, bands stand revealed as charlatans". He wasn’t wrong, but it’s doubtful he would have bothered with such a pre-emptive de- fence if he’s been able to witness the ex- plosive growth of the band during their second incarnation. BothYou Don’t Know What You’re Doing and Chaff both chan- nel Television until going somewhereVer- laine and couldn’t conceive, the number of ideas within Enemy Of Promise would bolster an album by any decent group be- fore Chaff comes up with half-a-dozen more.And while your mileage may vary, I reckon those are the lesser tunes. Perish The Thought will be promoted by a far-flung tour, from Scotland to Serbia, with some dates already sold out. Guest supports include Stewart Lee,The Wolfhounds and Near Jazz Experience. Several videos from the album will appear in coming months, and a Marc Riley ses- sion will take place in October. The album has been pressed 180g heavy- weight vinyl, with a gatefold sleeve, spe- cially-commissioned artwork by the wonderful DavidYates, with a download card (the album is also available on CD) . . . but they haven’t bothered to stick their name on the front cover.  www.thenightingales.org.uk 8 rgg Sep 2018 www.ryansgigguide.com