You know when a band releases a one-off album, and you assume after several years that they’ll never release a second one? And then the day comes when they do release a second one, but the sound and lineup are quite different, and so you get nervous? Yeah, that’s how I felt about the sophomore album from Beatrix Players. They are releasing their new album Living & Alive on September 22nd.
Beatrix Players comes to us from London. The debut featured a trio, but this new album removes two of them and expands the size of the lineup. Amy Birks, founding member, returns, and two people who helped write the first album do, too, being Helena Dove and guitarist Tom Manning. You will also hear John Hackett on flute, Oliver Day on guitar, Andrew Booker on drums, Jane Fenton on cello, Matthew Lumb on piano, and Kyle Welch on bass.
There are some major differences between the two albums, so I’m going to talk about what I miss, and what I appreciate in the new sound. The band still plays something like baroque folk pop. It isn’t prog rock, per se, but there are elements of it. It isn’t classical, but it sort of sounds like it at times. It isn’t singer-song writer fare, but it feels like it once in a while. I don’t think any genre label can fully describe their sound.
What do I miss? The debut had a breezier, more fantastical quality to it, not only in the music, but also in the lyrics. I do miss songs with lyrics like “Lady of the Lake” or “Molehill”. It also felt more chamber, mainly because there were fewer players and the whole album oozed with late night small venue vibes. I really liked that about it, the stark atmosphere punctuated with piano and cello primarily.
What do I appreciate? While it is different, I like the expanded sound. It is more rhythmic, and you will hear a full band sound, though the guitars and drums particularly are more reserved, as they should be. I love the piano on this album; it is gorgeously performed and perfectly placed in the mix. The strings and flute are particularly beautiful, as well. While I miss the fantasy, I do appreciate the more grounded, real-world lyrics, too. Amy is an excellent lyricist, and this album is no exception. I also like that Amy utilizes the quivery end of her voice more often, which is my favorite part of her style.
Some have compared this album to Fleetwood Mac, and I think that is appropriate. It does exude the acoustic folk tone even when it is not fully folk or acoustic. Overall, Living & Alive just feels jazzier without being jazz and prog rockier without really being rock. I can deal with that, especially because the album is full of songs that are easy to sing along with, and you definitely feel the urge to do so.
I’ll be honest, this album didn’t grab me at first go. I’ve been listening to it on and off for a few months now, but it has recently really connected with me. Each and every song has a grooving and rhythmic quality to it that, once you entered the river of melody, you come to understand it. The opener “Snowflakes” is a good example of this: at first glance it feels a little quirky and odd, but the more I’ve heard it, the more I find myself singing it randomly throughout the day. The off kilter rhythm and simple yet effective chorus are really something.
Many of the songs are like this. “Somebody Else’s Eyes” has great acoustic guitar and flute, and the emotions come rolling in satisfyingly. “This Is Your Life” has a musing, noodling sort of headway to it, and I love the metro vibes the punches of flute give. That song is really growing on me especially.
I have some more favorites. “A Beautiful Lie” is a sad ballad with mostly just vocals and cello, and Amy really delivers on her performance with authenticity and stark emotion. I love it. “Overflow” has more of the rhythm I keep mentioning, from the piano to even the tap tap of the drums, the whole song is subtle, but easy to get caught in, like a stream of consciousness. “You Can’t Hit the Nail” feels like the sequel to “A Beautiful Lie”, only this one has more of a percussive element, and I really like the lyrics. One of the best overall is the closer, “Me I Am Me”. It has my favorite lyrics on the album, and also reminds of something that could have been on the debut, only with a reserved climax of guitar and flute that bring the whole thing to fruition. That track might have my favorite vocals, too; I’m beginning to realize that I really like the way Amy pronounces certain words, and that sometimes forms the basis for why I like some of her songs over others.
Took me some time to come to terms with Beatrix Players’ new sound, but it isn’t as far removed as my little heart pretends, and it is a beautiful style with lots of highlightable performances. I really like Living & Alive, and I think I will only grow to love it more. It has an evocative lyrical style that speaks to me, and there is this constant flow that, once you find it, will sweep you away with it.
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The PROG Mind 