The opening track from Norwich quintet Wooden Arms’ debut album, or indeed EP, Tides, is called December. It only has 5 lines of lyrics and 23 words in total. It also has mournful violin, piano, brass, a choral section, male & female vocals and (eventually) a pulsing drumbeat. It’s beautiful. Just beautiful.
The band’s website describes them as an alternative, chamber music band, and I don’t see any reason to argue with that. The closest band comparisons I can think of are Hem or Sweet Billy Pilgrim, or a mixture of the two.
Second track Vicenarian (someone in their 20’s don’t you know), is a playful song about youth, again violin led, and again stunning.
Title track Tides is up next, followed by Waiting, and lyrically the mood changes. The subject in Tides is asked “were you born this way, or did you choose to be such an arsehole?” while Waiting asks repeatedly “Is This All ?” Both good questions.
Noah for me is my least favourite on the album, but with the standard this high, this is a minor concern, especially as the album closes with my highlight, the stunning False Start. A touching, delicate yet anthemic love song, full of brass and strings, and with echoes of Tuung or, The Accidental about it. I’ve had this on repeat since I bought the album.
And that's it. 6 songs with a running time of barely 28 minutes or so, but Wooden Arms have created a thing of genuine beauty. The emotion it evokes in me makes me want to stretch out in front of an open fire, whilst mourning the passing of summer.
Thank you Mark Radcliffe and 6 Music for playing them, and literally stopping me in my tracks. Please play in Leeds soon.
10/11
Keith @kjsmith4082
LIVE IN OCTOBER
10th Norwich Sound & Vision festival, Octagon Chapel
11th Cambridge Junction 2
12th -Brighton, Green Door Store
17th London, St Pancras Old Church