The Underground of Happiness

Robust and inspiring folk instrumentals (mainly) from the rural Yorkshire/Derbyshire border of the north of England. 6 or 12 string guitar takes the lead for the most part and with some authority. The album reminds me a little of William Tyler. There’s a similar endearing feel of immersion in the simple joy of playing. Like the gorgeous opener ‘Home for Moss Valley’ with the genius addition of a string section behind the guitar picking for added lilt and bounce. The sublime harp accompaniment in ‘Cwm elan’. The momentum of perfectly judged percussion and (what sounds like) bodhrán in ‘Bramley Moor’. The beautiful wash of guitar drones at the beginning of ‘Fortingall Yew’. A bleed of melody. And that song’s climax when the strings rise up to take a lead from the guitar and add the seriousness or gravitas of classical music. The wonderful communal vocal moment of ‘Phoenix Works’. A documenting. A flying of a flag. Double bass and a great drum stomp. A sense o...

Completely irresistible orchestral pop from this Sheffield band who are new to me but there's always room for something this good. The tune has a swooping, key changing quality reminiscient of High Llamas at their peak, strapped on to...well, something baroque from another time, harp glissandos and everything. That might make it sound a little sedate. It isn't. It reaches a belting crescendo liable to blow you as high as the balloon in the video and there's a searing synthesised guitar solo which is 70s AM rock all over. Finally, the singer - whose name is Gina I believe - has a wonderfully light delivery, even among the thrilling massed choir backing. You really need this in your life.

Beautiful and intriguing album on the Galway-based label from Sheffield’s Duncan Sumpner (following a few long players on Fat Cat in the past). There’s a flavour of Midlake about these woozy, tripped-out folk songs that’s very appealing. For example, the languid Teen wolf or the nostalgic Deaf Sarah . There’s also trumpet involved, which (with the exception of Johnny Carroll) we always love. Songs of Green Pheasant / Teenwolf from danny bird on Vimeo .

The Scaramanga Six - Cursed (Wrath Records) You'll remember the killer first single from this Sheffield 4-piece's (!) new album was mentioned here previously , the memorable power ballad Autopsy of the mind . Well there's plenty more to love on the rest of the album. Last roll of the dice starts life as a Joey Santiago instrumental before embracing a rousing horn section and massed harmonies. Walking through houses (the one song on the album produced by ex- Cardiacs man Tim Smith , before he was struck by illness in 2008, and to whom the album is dedicated - the full story is on the listening link below) is stalking post-punk masquerading as math-rock. Trouble is three minutes of retribution delivered with a croon. Dark matter is another rousing, brass-lead workout with strong cinematic leanings. The epic Like an insect takes the Kafka scenario literally and wraps it in glockenspiel, toms and a killer chorus. And, as also mentioned previously , closer Spent force comes ...