Fearne are one of the most respected band’s in the local area, highly thought of by both musicians and music fans alike. They have taken me on a journey since discovering them and though I know Alex, Nick, and Adam through various gigs and interviews, they have through their music, given a very personal insight into their lives making me feel I know them much more than I really do. Their songwriting and music making should at the very least have them headline major festivals or sending their albums right to the top of the charts. However, like many amazing passionate musicians such as these, they do not get the recognition that they truly deserve.
After almost a decade making music the band have decided to call it a day and before the final curtain calls they have a matter of a few farewell gigs and a brand new album. The new album has been a long time coming since the guys took themselves on Alex’s stag weekend down to a log cabin in Devon to start the recording process. Since then Alex has been like Yul Brinner in “The Magnificent Seven” gathering a host of guest musicians to join the band in completing their final masterpiece. Kadia’s Lee Cuff was drafted in as executive producer and a total of 13 musicians were used to bring the whole thing together. The album titled “Journey of a Man” was set for release in January 2016, but due to various unavoidable delays, it is set to be released in September 2016 via a successful pledge music campaign. I am been lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy and I have been urged to listen to all songs in order rather than cherry-picking.
The new album certainly has a lot to live up too after the last album “Songs on Postcards” set such a high benchmark in song/writing and musicianship. The album kicks off with “Took the Game too Far” a song which is about Alex’s Polish Grandfather who apparently liked a drink or too. It features the typical Fearne sound combining electric and acoustic guitars with Alex’s silky smooth vocals and a beautifully infectious chorus. “What it does to me” shows more of the strong songwriting that have made Fearne so popular over the years. It takes things from a personal point of view, which can easily be related to by the listener in their own way. “Fire in my Belly” features the line “I’m Grumpy and I always will be, I still love all the people around me” and anyone that knows Alex will totally understand how very true that is along with the lyric “How music is my best friend and enemy”. The tune has a much slower pace than the two previous with the guitars gently meandering through this really impressive autobiographical number.
Things get much more complex next in “Histoire D’amore Parts 1, 2 & 3 (French Love Story)”, this is a beautiful story set to music, where the band use their voices and instruments to show the full emotions. The song treats us to some impressive lap steel guitar played by Joe “Smithy” Smith (Jack Grace/Drew Allen Band) and some soul-stirring Cello by Kadia’s Lee Cuff. It is a heartwarming, and uplifting piece of work that can truly stir the inner feelings of any human being. Finally, the very talented Adam Pulfer gets to muscle one of his own compositions onto a Fearne album. “Rich Man” has a lovely sentiment with the lyric “If I have sugar in my Tea I’m Rich Man”. Adam shows here his considerable vocal talents along with some neat guitar and harmonica.
Possibly one of my favourite tunes (That will change in time I’m Sure) on the album is the title track “Journey of a Man”. It is a bubbly happy tune that features some rolling banjo combining with the acoustic guitars, making for a foot tapping tune that I’m sure will be a live favourite. “Five Weeks at Sea” takes a more serious tone and features the clever lyric “When I was a boy I used to get sea sick now I get sick of the sea”. It’s about a chap called Darren Ayers who actually illustrated the album cover. He actually works on Cargo ships transporting goods around the world and it shows the frustration of being away from his family for up to five weeks at a time. It features one of the finest vocal performances on the album along with a remarkable guitar outro piece. Alex was right you do have to listen to this album in order and cherry-picking won’t give you the whole atmosphere that the record creates. It is an album that I am sure will be taken to the hearts of many Fearne fans and a swan song that really shows how far the band have come over the last decade. Fearne’s music and lyrics have honestly changed the way I look at life and in some case help me improve things for that I thank them.
Track-Listing
Took the Game Too Far
What It Does To Me
Fire in My Belly
Histoire D’amore Parts 1, 2 & 3 (French Love Story)
Rich Man
Journey of a Man
Five Weeks at Sea
Fearne are:
Alex Bedrijczuk: Guitars, Vocals
Adam Pulfer: Harps, Guitars
Nick Bryson: Double Bass
Links
http://www.fearnemusic.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/fearnemusic
Contact:
info@fearnemusic.co.uk
Word by Dave Chinery (Chinners).
