Reviews
Ferry Curve Album: The Reason And The Rhyme
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: https://ferrycurve.bandcamp.com/
Ferry Curve started with an email to a drummer from a guitarist lyricist in search of a band. This led to some musical reconnections, the resurrection of long departed Glorious Ferry Curve as the more succinct Ferry Curve and the recording of album with the sonic lightning rod that is Chris Pepper at Saltwell Studios.
Opening "21 25" is a love gone wrong song with great Pete Townsend guitar chords at the start, and some unexpected playing through the song by Jonathan Burt. Ferry Curve themselves say that few of their songs end where they started, but this opener has a singalong vocal, fine playing and a few musical twists and turns. "High Roller" has a clever lyric with sharp rhymes and a strong chorus. Vocalist Martin Wilde has a fine voice that reminded me of an 80s Phil Oakey and Burt is an interesting guitar player. Love Will Barfield's playing too on "The Middle Man" an acoustic Folk Rock song about co-operation with forementioned drummer Jeremy Peake's beat making your feet tap. "I Feel Alive" carries the upbeat Folk Rock vibe on, with a great vocal from Barfield. "No Two Days" has a superb guitar intro, Chris Pepper's proggy theramin and keyboards leading into some more sharp musical turns and interesting surprises. "International Summit" is tight rock with some lovely country slide from Barfield, great chorus and an almost drum solo.
Ferry Curve draw in a lot of musical ideas and influences, for me it a comes together on the atmospheric "Spirit Photography". The slightly surreal lyrics Martin's vocals and Burt's guitar recall "Incubus" era Marillion. With admirable restraint the five musicians including producer Pepper's Floydian pedal steel hold back giving Wilde's voice and the lyrics space. This track I listened to a lot. Loved too the other long track "Lucian", the spectral guitar, the poetic lyrics and Burt's vocal took me straight back to the face paint and dark introspection of early Marillion. Moderation" has excellent lyrics with some clever wordplay and again atmosphere comes from restraint with brush drums, thoughtful guitar and Barfield's insistent bass. "Statues" is barbed electric protest of the kind that a currently sadly lacking. Lovely lyrical guitar and an passionate excellent vocal from Martin, with notes of The Tom Robinson Band. "Where Did The Last Year Go" hints at a story with upbeat gallows humour and a Small Faces like wordless chorus and some discordant umpah band brass bringing a touch of The Temperance Seven or The Bonzos. An upbeat ending.
With a sound shaped by the vast, flat landscapes of East Anglia and some clear musical influences, Ferry Curve describe their sound as Fen Rock. The four piece don't pretend to know exactly what that is, whatever you call this mix of prog rock, folk, pop, indie, alternative and country music, THE REASON AND THE RHYME is an excellent listen with some absolute gems within its tracks. Currently available as a bandcamp digital download a physical release is promised.
Marc Higgins
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