I freely admit to being frustrated by this release. It’s not that I feel locked out in any way, although I admit I have few reference points. It’s just that nothing about this album grabs my attention. The biog tells me, on the other hand, that if these songs get lost under washing machine noise, then these sounds can be seen as part of the song so maybe I shouldn’t be bothered about that? I admit to being a little flabbergasted by that statement though? I listen to a lot of music whilst the washing machine is whirring but I can still form an opinion as to whether the songs and musicianship are any good or not, and separate sound of machine from this. Matter of fact most of the music we listen to has other noise going on when we listen to it.
SWEET WILLIAMS have been formed from the ashes of Charlottefield by Thomas House and from what little I have heard of the aforementioned band Bliss are very much a more low key version of them. It does sound a bit like someone left a band and carried on doing the same thing with a little less input and that is to the detriment of this album. I also feel that the album is best considered as a whole rather than as a conglomeration of tracks or singles so here goes.
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You get a fair bit of guitar. It’s electric but often on its own against vocals so the album has an acoustic singer songwriter feel to it. Some of the songs being acoustic adds to this. It is quite stripped down and I mean that in the sense of what is played. Often a strum or a simple off beat riff will underpin the song. Lyrically it is very minimal. Often lines are repeated, presumably for effect. So really one should be concentrating on what has been left out? Nothing comes to mind. Again with the drums, basic basic basic. If the riff is lurching then the drums lurch with it. It’s post something I guess. Cycled parts. Sounds like a bicycle. Stand out tracks. Opener Something Round, Clare De Lune. Neil Young Crazy Horse. Also, So Right and Three Feet.
One for fans of Charlottefield I feel. As for me, I’m off to the Launderettefield.
Listen to Sweet Williams at Bandcamp
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