REVIEW: Brother & Bones

By Ryan D Hughes

Brother and Bones – For All We Know EP

The ‘For All We Know’ EP due for release on November 12th is the latest installment from one of this nations finest bands of the modern era. It’s a beautiful follow up to the ‘Skin’ EP. Before I get too into the EP I want to just say that Brother and Bones are one of my favourite bands ever and they work and tour really hard. They also unlike a lot of bands appear to have a lot of fun and enjoyment along the way. Five super nice chaps, James Willard being the soundest man in music along with Ned Younger (Monument Valley) and Rich Thomas is by far the coolest man alive.

Anyway enough about how much I love these guys and on to the EP. The opening track ‘I See Red’ is a grower, I’ll be honest I didn’t initially like this song it felt ever too slightly over produced and a bit too American rocky. But after reassessment its a good song as it takes you on a little journey with nice changes of tempo and I can really see this being a big sing along live track. I don’t like the intro but after 9 seconds Rich Thomas’ beautiful vocals kick in and save the day. It feels very much like a song written as a full band for a big band sound and has great group vocals and it also really utilises the drum and percussion pairing of Yiannis and Robin brilliantly.

On to the title track ‘For All We Know’ a true masterpiece. Slower, softer and more vocally driven. I adore this song and have been desperate to hear a recording since I first heard it live. Rich once described it to me as the sister song to ‘Skin and Bones’, it does have a very similar feel, very heart felt and lyrically brilliant. I love Rich’s brand of lyric writing because he unlike a lot of song writers he has the ability to create great sing a long choruses to even the most heart felt and beautiful love songs and this song in particular is a great exponent of that. Also for a pretty heavy band they are lead by an acoustic guitar and that again gives a beautiful edge. I love how this song builds and builds and they goes back its humble begins on Rich’s vocals and guitar.

Follow Me Down. In terms of tempo this song lies half way inbetween the first two songs. I have often wondered whether some B&B songs started off as songs for a solo folk project and some how got adapted along the way but this one does seem like a band song. I particularly love the chorus with the group vocals and the way arrangement is reversed for the last repetition, whilst Rich takes centre stage throughout.

Wicked Man is classic B&B with great percussion and great little touches added by the boy Willard. It’s a choppy little number and really generates a bit and of movement when listening to it even when your sat down trying to finish a review. Great lyrics and Rich shows off his tremendous vocal range on this one. A cracking exhibit of how to merge folk and rock perfectly.

Brother and Bones embark on a headline tour shortly and I highly recommend you buy a ticket and an EP you won’t regret it, one of the very best live bands.