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More HMHB-ery

Joe Hutch

Mate of the bloke
From Tribune no less:

https://tribunemag.co.uk/2022/08/half-man-half-biscuit-the-voltarol-years-review

When tackling big ideas, Blackwell’s lyrics still focus on the minutiae for a broader, more impressionistic result (Julian Cope has criticised them for sweating the small stuff, which seems to miss the point entirely). The Voltarol Years showcases some of Blackwell’s most poignant song writing, substantiated by the fact that on recent records the spectre of the grim reaper has become more and more visible. ‘Slipping The Escort’ is ostensibly a song about dementia built on small detail: life insurance adverts, choices of karaoke songs, and—naturally—an obtuse reference to Welsh football team Airbus. Blackwell’s writing has always had the structure of a tapestry, using fragmented, humorous images to build a bigger picture. The band haven’t lost their appreciation for the trivial either: ‘In A Suffolk Ditch’ takes the Room 101 concept and bludgeons the listener with a litany of one-liners, ‘Token Covid Song’ is a reasonably light-hearted piss-take of online narcissism, and highlight ‘Awkward Sean’ is a vivid speculation on a local oddball, using some magnificent cultural references to paint this particular black sheep: ‘We had Slade/We had The Sweet/Sean had Chicory Tip’.
 
Although I have followed the little boy biscuits since the early days and have always loved the humour and imagination, I have always been disappointed with the production of their latter albums. I know this was a financial restraint but their fan base would (I think) still purchase enough units to support a more hi-fi sound. I would not expect one of their albums to be a magazine "Sound Quality of the Month" release but would like more clarity.

Meanwhile....

Get yer hedge cut!
 
The new album is their best sounding imo and loads of great tracks as usual.
Midnight Mass Murder a personal highlight.
 
Although I have followed the little boy biscuits since the early days and have always loved the humour and imagination, I have always been disappointed with the production of their latter albums. I know this was a financial restraint but their fan base would (I think) still purchase enough units to support a more hi-fi sound. I would not expect one of their albums to be a magazine "Sound Quality of the Month" release but would like more clarity.

Meanwhile....

Get yer hedge cut!

Not sure HDSQ is particularly the sort of thing HMHB would give a shit about. Probably more likely to write a song disparaging people who think it's important.
 


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