Admiral Fallow debut.
Admiral Fallow are the latest Scottish band being sounded out for stardom by the critics.
"Boots Met My Face" is the Glasgow band’s debut album and varies from pounding drums to incredibly elegant flute and clarinet arrangements as well as delicate vocals from lead singer Louis Abbot.
"Boots Met My Face" kicks off with ‘Dead Against Smoking’, which despite the title sounds rather ballad-like. What then proceeds is a collection of songs that as lead singer Louis Abott puts, document the first chapter of his life. They could be memories from school or just having a kick about with his childhood friends. These memories are excellently brought to life from the likes of Kevin Brolly on the flute and Sara Hayes playing clarinet. Solid drumming comes from stickman Philip Hague as they complement the lead singer’s vocals.
One of the highlights of the album is ‘Squealing Pigs’, where the talents of all six band members beautifully come together showing why the likes of Fyfe Dangerfield from the Guillemots is a big fan.
The acoustic guitar gives way to a crescendo of upbeat noise despite Abbot’s bittersweet lyrics.
‘Subbuteo’ continue the nostalgic memories of singer Abbot with brutally honest lyrics set to a bittersweet soundscape. All of the layers continually weave in and out of one another and help make the song sound special.
‘Old Balloons’ is a slow burner at first but as the drums act like a battering ram pushing the song forward it becomes reminiscent of Scottish melodic rock bands from the past.
Piano player and flautist Sara Hayes also sings in the band. She and Abbot provide a duet on ‘Bomb Through The Town’, the string arrangement contrasting with the thumping of Hague’s drums.
These ten songs are all expertly crafted with award winning producer Paul Savage who has worked with other Scottish bands such as Teenage Fanclub, Mogwai and The Delgados.
The band have won awards from The Scotsman Newspaper and King Tuts and it is easy to see why.
Admiral Fallow have created an album of songs that help nurture memories of days gone by into something everyone can enjoy.