1, 2, 3 go! That Legendary Wooden Lion have a new CD out called Writing in a Skeleton Key and I’ve been giving it a good listen. I should say that although unknown to me they have in fact been around in some form or other since the early seventies, even playing the Windsor and Watchfield free festivals, so we’re not talking about a bunch wet behind the ears. And nor do they sound it. 10 tracks on the CD all played with an assurance that comes with experience and with song writing skills to match. Their style is a bit harder to put the old finger on. Think 70’s power pop a la The Motors..? Nope.. not passionate enough, New Model Army perhaps.

You see what we have in the main, is a set of upbeat rousing rock/pop songs. Take track two Sulphur and Heat, a song about well, staring death in the face, which is a catchy little number sung in the style of football hooligans. Don’t get me wrong; I loved it. In fact the chorus has been playing in my head for the past week. There is, however, also a lot of reflection going on here, they are men of a certain age after all. Bitterness, anger and regret usually make for impassioned music an d it’s certainly the case here. The tempo does vary from time to time; take Blank Moments for example, a cheerful little ditty about those wasting time by doing nothing. Fair enough but to be honest I long for the chance of doing nothing.

I also have to mention how amazingly presented the CD is. It comes in a gate-fold digi thingy with a booklet featuring lyrics, bio and pics. The artwork too is something special and is indicative of the care put into the product as a whole. Not that I’m recommending the CD on the strength of the sleeve. I’d happily recommend it on the strength of the content though. My mate gave the opinion that it was “geezer prog” and although I wouldn’t use that term myself I can see where he is coming from. Good passionate music from a bunch of guys whose hearts are firmly on their sleeves.

Next up Louis Davey’s first solo effort, Last chance of a Lifetime. Strange title, because I’ll bet it isn’t. Louis certainly has come a long way in the short amount of time I’ve known him and for this release has a heavyweight support cast.

Despite this I had a bit of trouble with Last Chance. You see on the first listen it came across to me as too lightweight, fragile and unconvincing. The arrangements were complex enough, the playing was as good as you would expect but my main problem was with the vocals. And so I listened again and again and again. And it worked. You see I, like so many others expect my space rock to be served up with dollops of distortion, thunderous bass, heavy on the synth, and vocals fashioned by Woodbine and bourbon.

Last Chance isn't like that. It's an album written and performed predominantly by young people and that is how it sounds. I eventually ended up realising that the young vocals were not a fault but part of the attraction and charm. In particular track 7 the Other Face did it for me, excellent. Oh yes and the title track, very chilled, I liked very much and wouldn’t have been unhappy for it to carry on for another 5 minutes or so. I guess I'm just a grumpy old git after all. Yes, I would recommend Last Chance but think of it this way; expect it to sound more like California Brainstorm than Yule Ritual 2000. If that doesn’t make sense just listen to Alan’s playing and vocals on both.

Otherwise my computer broke this month, not just a slight bug or the like but a complete and utter terminal thing. So to all those who I said I’d give a mention or listen and haven't I apologise. However just time to mention Allies and Clansmen, the Omenopus compilation. There doesn’t seem any good reason not to have it. So get it.


Review by Alistair Wilson
Photographs reproduced courtesy of Beth Wilson.