Kicking off with “That Murder of Crows” you just know that they have upped the ante, the opening guitar draws you into their dark world. With a hefty line-up change, the production values have increased, and it just feels like a lot more care and attention has gone into this.
For those who abhor change the follow-up track, “Going to Kentucky” takes a quick left turn into the humour that is so popular with this band. Marks’ razor-sharp lyrics and clever wordplay leave you with no doubt about who he is currently aiming at, and later on in the album “Let’s Build a Wall” cements that target in your mind. Opening with a Southern geetar picking sound a beat you cannot help tap your foot to, no doubt a live favourite which will have the crowd singing along. While “Tiizak Hamra” continues with the throwing curveballs, but is so typically Maggot – who else would throw in Saharan-trance? And more importantly make it work, cranking up the tempo and leaving the cool soft vibes way behind.
“Fade Away (Hate to See You)” is a laidback track which will bring a tear to the eye of those who know. The gentle bass subtlety carries you, underpinning the guitar, while Mark’s delivers vocals straight from the heart, with some well-placed harmonies towards the tracks close.
In the same vein as their classic track “Bulldozer” comes “Let’s Build a Wall”. The topical subject leaves nothing to the imagination, and the audience will soon be singing along “Let’s Build a Wall”. While the instrumental “Up the Dancers” follows immediately and is a catchy little number, proving to be another foot tapping track and the mandolin picks its way into your head.
The electric guitar in the opening of “No Words and No Goodbyes”, the track almost signals a change for Maggot, as Marks vocals seem to spread out across the track, allowing the music to flow through to the listener. No rush with this track. This is followed, or maybe “stalked”, by “Four Whores from Baltimore” coming from the same vein as “That Murder of Crows”. It packs a punch and its dark tale is punctuated by electric guitar as the rhythm keeps time like a metronome.
This serious thread never lasts long in the Maggot Universe – the amusingly titled update instrumental “Aphrodite in a Nightie Does the Keybab Shuffle” brings a lighter Greek style vibe to proceedings, and is followed by the disturbingly funny “My Baby Fell Apart”.
A return to form with the title track, as a bouncy festival vibe flows through this track blending the addictive foot tapping mandolin and drums, with political satire and the need to sing along whilst holding your pint in hand.
Closing this album is “Big Bad Crazy World”, written by the late great Kev Marshall, who provides vocals and drums on the track which was recorded during the Karaoke Sessions, although never completed until now.
This reviewer has been a long-time fan of Lady Winwoods Maggot, and the bipolar nature of their Death/Western sound and humour is a blend that has served the band well. Fighting between the dark, the sombre, love for the lost, as well as the topically comedic. This album has upped their game.
Track Listing
That Murder of Crows
Going To Kentucky
Tiizak Hamra
Fade Away (Hate to See You Fade Away)
Let’s Build A Wall
Up The Dancers
No Words and No Goodbyes
Four Whores from Baltimore
Aphrodite in a Nightie Does the Keybab Shuffle
My Baby Fell Apart
Manifesto
She Wants It All
A Matter of Respect
Big Bad Crazy World
Link
http://www.ladywinwoodsmaggot.co.uk/
Words by Jon.
