‘41’ is the latest mini album from the multi-talented ANDY LEWIS. Andy is the bassist in Paul Weller’s band, has worked as Blur’s DJ and observed most of the crucial events of the Brit Pop scene from a ringside seat.
What you get here are seven tracks of intelligent music and lyrics. The opening title track ‘41’ is a solid instrumental rock track based around keyboard melodies. At some points, it reminded me of some of Dave Greenfield’s work with The Stranglers, which is no bad thing.
‘Complexity’ which follows has a beat similar to that of ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’, but with excellent keyboard work, and sharp vocals, this really works. The song then goes on to draw analogies with quantum physics, and even manages to name check Heisenberg (who asserted the uncertainty principle of quantum theory), before ending with the appropriate admission “I wish I’d learned more at university.”
‘Sky Bar’ has a more modern, psychedelic beat with some trippy keyboards. The lyrics are steeped in nostalgia: - “Remember the days when we used to be happy/ Remember the days when we used to be kind/ Remember the fun that we used to have down on the ground.” This track did make me think more than once of the Jam’s ‘Thick as Thieves’ as there are certain similarities, mainly to do with the fact of peoples' ideologies or viewpoints changing and their own inability to notice. “You’re so high in the sky that you can’t see you’re falling," sings Andy in conclusion.
‘Yarbles’ is a jaunty virtually instrumental number with the catchphrase of: - “Get your yarbles out!” This may well catch on over the summer months!
‘Centre Of Attention’ is a Brit Pop classic that could have easily been on Blur’s ‘Parklife’ with a strong bass line, and pointed lyrics; - “Here he comes again, making like your new best friend/ Giving out business cards, showing you his photographs.” I think we all know this sort of creep who always wants to hog the limelight and be the centre of attention.
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‘Mr Camera’ is a slacker's anthem for the modern generation, with some nice plinky plonk piano, and witty lyrics. This could easily be a hit. “Don’t want to be a preacher, don’t want to be a teacher/ Don’t want to be a pilot in The Royal Air Force, dropping bombs on the Taliban.” Somehow, this manages to maintain humour whilst still injecting some incisive political comment into the proceedings.
Finally, ‘Last Song Of The Year’ draws things to a close. Seeming to deal with the problems of depression and writer’s block, this is another winner: - “I’ve nothing to say, but I’m going to say it anyway/ A black dog made of emptiness follows me around/ It sits in the corner and watches me thinking/ Faithfully waiting for me to complete the last song of the year.
I thought that this was a great mini album, and if this is anything to go by, Andy’s next full length solo album ‘South Herts. Symphony’ due to be released this summer should be a sure fire hit.
Andy Lewis on MySpace
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