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BAMBARA: Birthmarks

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I’ve said it many times before, but there’s nothing better than writing about a band you love and their new record. Bambara are one of the best bands around, that we know. But just how great is record number five, Birthmarks? In short, it’s the best thing they have ever done. And this is coming from someone who is still very much attached to Shadow On Everything. In fact, I’m probably still very much attached to all their records. Birthmarks stands out immediately.

The record opens with Hiss, and what I’ve noticed with not just this record- but every Bambara record, is that it feels like a film. A film that is dark, twisted and beautifully tortured. I think that just shows how exceptional they are as musicians and writers. They create this atmosphere that sucks you in; regardless of where you start with their music, it’s a feeling that gets you right away. They could easily do a soundtrack for a film or three- no problem. There’s this brilliantly perverse feeling throughout Letters From Sing Sing, and it’s truly the band at their best. I’ve read many reviews on the band where they are compared to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, which I totally get but there’s something more here. Sure, compare this record to Kicking Against The Pricks or Let Love In, but leave it at that. Reid’s vocals here have never sounded so strong and the way you can hear him sing through gritted teeth on Face Of Love is just divine. The man has a voice of an angel.

There’s a lot of storytelling on this record, which is typical of Bambara and it’s only a positive thing. The mention of Elena and the one-eyed man means having those familiar characters right away makes you feel safe with this record, but part of you is always on edge. You feel like you’re on the edge of something about to happen, and happen it does. The first single from the record, Pray To Me is the perfect way to win new fans over and get us old ones excited for the record. Everything you love about Bambara comes to a head on this song, and it was such a strong choice for the first single. Any song could have been the lead, but when I heard it a few months ago- I just knew in my gut that Birthmarks was going to end up being the best thing they had done to date.

Something that is constant throughout the record (and all their records) is the influence of Southern Gothic themes and you can hear the influence New York has had on them. You can really feel the influence of David Lynch and Nick Cave amongst others on this record and that’s a constant on all their records, but there’s something else there. Something I can’t quite put into words. The whole record is a joy to listen to and as a fan, it was love at first listen. I cannot wait for the tour next month because they are truly, truly one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live.

With Reid’s gnarly and gritty vocals, it is beautifully matched at times with vocals from Emma Acs (Crack Cloud), Bria Salmena, and Madeline Johnston (Midwife.) Sax is also provided by Jeff Tobias (A. Savage) and haunting harp tones are provided by Marilu Donavon (LEYA.) Blaze yet again annihilates the drums and of course, William provides impeccable slick tones on the bass, synth and piano. Let it be known, this band know EXACTLY what they are doing and how they want to sound. For me, the song that shows just how strong this record is, is Smoke. There’s something about this song that just ties the whole record together, and you feel like you’re no longer on edge. It’s possibly the most calming song on the record and lyrically, it might be my favourite. I am absolutely likely to change my mind in a weeks’ time, but my god this song is Bambara at their finest. The whole record is the band at their very best. They’ve never made a bad record, I don’t think they could even if they tried. I just really, really love this band. You know when you find a band that make everything click? Bambara (and Crows) are the band that do that for me. If I was religious, I’d compare this all to a religious experience.

The record ends with Loretta. Whatever I say about this, doesn’t do the song justice. There’s a heaviness to it that is just a touch more noticeable here than on other songs and the imagery in the lyrics? My god. That’s the thing with Bambara, and it always will be- the lyrics. The lyrics feel like every Henry Miller book I’ve read to death. There’s this darkness, this smuttiness, and chilling tones to it all that just connects. I don’t want to hear typical love songs about sunshine, rainbows and all that sickly stuff. Keep it away. I want dark and meaningful words that actually grip you and are relatable.  Inject it into my veins and leave me listening to this record on a loop. Thank you.

You feel as you take in Reid’s words as he sings at you, that you’re in the midst of a sermon. Well, if Bambara are a cult- sign me up. You cling onto every word, every note. Everything. This is a record that was made to consume the listener. It was made to be soaked up and clung onto with all you have. It’s a record that in 5, 10 years I’ll still feel exactly the same about. It’s perfect in every single way.

Music, like all great art forms, should move you. You should feel something powerful and sacred only to you. That’s what Bambara have done yet again; it’s what they do and will always do. Every single song on the record feels like a short story. A dark and gripping short story, and I reckon it will truly come alive in a live setting. I’m so excited for this record to be released on Friday and I’m so excited for the tour next month. They’ve created something so classy here and so memorable. I just know that in many years to come, this will be one record I play and I feel like I’m hearing it for the first time. That’s when you know you’ve found something very special.

BAMBARA: Stray.

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My love for Bambara is something else. I practically live in my Bambara shirt, and I still think about their show from last year at the Soup Kitchen. I had no expectations from what I was going to witness, but I knew that from their records I was going to witness something that would blow my mind.

 Stray was released on Valentine’s Day- the perfect date for this record. Stray is made up of dark, deathly and romantic songs that totally justify my belief that Reid Bateh is one of the best songwriters around. For me he possesses that same genius that Nick Cave has. A fearless approach with unconventional romantic tones. Think Rimbaud, think Baudelaire and mix it with William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg- then you’ll get it. My point is this- Reid is an exceptional writer, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if one day, he writes a novel and that novel gets turned into a film with the band creating the score for it. Can you imagine?! It would be insane.

 

 

 

There’s a fair amount of references to death on this record, and you know, it’s something we cannot avoid at all. My enjoyment for things has dipped a bit since losing my Grandma in August, but I’ve found comfort in music. Bambara have reinforced everything I love about music on this record. They just nail everything I love about dark music that is unafraid to expose the things that we try to shy away from. Everything from the production to the order the songs are in on this record is so carefully done, and you can truly hear the growth in the band on Stray. If you’ve seen them live, you’ll know exactly how intense their shows are. Reid is one of the most captivating front men I’ve ever seen. Blaze is up there as one of my favourite drummers of all time and William is so effortlessly laid-back and cool. You wish you could do what each of them do, and not only do they have this presence live but they also have it on record. Stray shows us all why they are one of, if not THE most vital band around.

 I can’t possibly pick a favourite song on this record; it’s one of those records that you go back to and with every listen, something else just blows your mind. The record is like one euphoric story that builds and builds. I adore the intense sounds on this record and maybe it has this feel due to Reid and Blaze being twins and having this bond but with William he adds this feel to the band that sort of calms the storm slightly. The way Blaze annihilates the drums and how Reid has this snarl-like feel to his vocals is beautifully wrapped up in how soothing William unleashes his inspiring bass playing, and beyond. All three of them are exceptional musicians, and for me, they do justify this on all of their records, but Stray takes you some place else. It’s another world, and a world you never ever want to escape from. It is such a comforting and powerful record, and the production is out of this world.

 Ben & Lily is a prime example of Reid’s songwriting, and how brilliant it is. The way the song flows reminds me a bit of The Bad Seeds’ Thirsty Dog. It also sounds like something you’d hear in an old cowboy film- it’s got a great Spaghetti Western feel to it. Play it loud, and maybe have it on repeat for your next few listens. It feels like a short story, but one you don’t want to end. I just adore the places that Bambara take you and how they can just take you on this ride with them; their music is so soothing and comforting. To others maybe it is too ferocious, but that’s where I find comfort the most.

 There is one part of the record from one song in particular that I keep getting drawn to. This is taken from Made For Me: “Lit cigarettes will rain. On a field where horses roam untamed. See you running with them through the flames. Wild flowers in their manes as you lead the stampede my way.” There is something about this that just hits me in the gut. I mean the whole song does, but this part really hits me. I don’t know why, but it’s just so powerful and beautiful. However, if you’re looking for a song to truly break your heart- then listen to Sweat and I mean REALLY listen to it. It’s fucking brutal, and really heavy.

 

 

 

Stray is magnificent, but what else do you expect from a band as powerful as Bambara? Stray is probably going to end up being my most played record of the year. I cannot get enough of it, nor do I want to. I’m happy to have this record on repeat for the foreseeable now. I felt this way about Shadow On Everything, and they’ve done it again with Stray. I feel I could write about this record forever, and ever. Until words become pointless and no longer carry any meaning. An absolute honour to listen to.