ROOTS & ECHOES-The Coral

Roots & Echoes-
The Coral
Status-Out as of 2007
Label-Deltasonic
Rating-5 Feathers

With the oldest member being only 26, the Coral have come a very long way. This six piece is known for their guitar infused melodies with just enough bizarre sound to get anyone hooked. During guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones’s leave from the band, the group were faced an all time low. With that feeling and Bill’s return to the band, the Coral created the significantly more mature and serious album Root & Echoes. ‘Who’s Gonna Find Me’ is the perfect opening. It’s lively, powerful, and has just the right amount of creepiness to give it that edge that really keeps you hooked. The chorus alone gets so far grinded into your head, that you’ll catch yourself singing it days after. ‘Remember Me’ easily sounds like a song off of Magic and Medicine. The mystical and dreamy feel makes it a little weird, but generally it’s very catchy. ‘Put The Sun Back’ is one of the most beautiful songs of their career and possibly the decade. If you’re in that kind of mood, it’ll make you tear up: James Skelly even sounds like he’s trying to recover. It’s light, and the slight twang makes it absolutely moving. ‘Jacqueline’ sounds like a classic gloomy 60’s pop tune. It’s simply just a lovely song. The Beatles-y electric guitar that follows the verse is really effective in capturing the mood and for making memorable. ‘Fireflies’ sounds like a warlike-march type of song. It’s very nicely arranged and James’s vocals really grow on you. ‘In the Rain’ is powerful enough to be an ending. The shear power and feeling exuded by Bill in the opening riff truly makes the song. It’s very fast-paced which quickly knocks you out of that glum funk the previous three put you in. ‘Not So Lonely’ is also very dreamlike. The perfect combination of guitar, keyboard, and a lone voice really help you connect with message of not being so lonely anymore. ‘Cobwebs’ is violently nostalgic. No single word describes it better. It’s a very good skiffle-oriented song that truly sounds like he found it in the cobwebs of his mind, or at least his attic. ‘Rebecca You’ has a distinct sound but generally just sounds like a decent summary of all the previous tunes/noises/themes that the first eight created. ‘She’s Got a Reason’ is very dark, which helps bring out the lyrical idea. It’s a good lead into the finale. ‘Music at Night’ is a decent ending. It sounds just like your basic Coral, but with a Spanish flair. Though it’s about six minutes long, and it doesn’t vary too much for the duration, it’s very captivating and you never lose focus, which I must say is a pretty good feat. The strings that close the album leave you feeling awfully melancholy that the album is over. The Coral have come a long way in their career. With a newly mature, very solid album being added to their already skillful discography, it’s very surprising that they are still virtually unknown in the U.S. and still aren’t given the credit they are due in their home country. Releasing such fantastic album after 3 year gap since Invisible Invasion, they’ve truly managed to put the sun back in our hearts.

"We finally had the chance to stop and remember who we are."-James Skelly

Video for Put The Sun Back

Recommendations: Who's Gonna Find Me, Put The Sun Back, In The Rain
The Coral's Official Website
Note: Sorry for my lack of posting. I ain't making empty promises anymore. I hope you enjoy this review and I seriously suggest giving them a listen. If there's a picture problem contact me. Thank you!