Jarrod Gosling has released the third album from his Prog/Psych band Regal Worm on the Uranium Club label. Pig Views is the third in a loose trilogy of albums which began in 2013 with Use and Ornament, followed the following year by Neither Use Nor Ornament. In the press release Jarrod states that the compositions deal with a variety of subjects, ranging from vampire folk tales, potential antichrists, volcanoes, the Sun to ghostly doomed love affairs. This variety is reflected in the music, which is innovative, expressive and at times very catchy, overall it’s amazing stuff.
Pig Views makes full use of Jarrod’s trademark vintage synths, organs, Mellotron and other instruments, mostly self-played which has lead to a beautifully produced and captivating album that deserves to be widely heard, as I believe it would have a broad appeal. I base this thought on an event that occurred as I was listening to it on headphones. My eight year old granddaughter Izzy asked what I was listening to and promptly took the headphones. This was at the start of the nearly fifteen minute track The Dreaded Lurg. After many smiles, “oohs”, “ahs” and plenty of dancing I got the headphones back three track later. She proceeded to say “I like it, I will write you my review”, which she did with single words, which included ‘unique’, ‘nice’, ‘catchy’ and ‘good’. Out of the mouths of children as they say; Jarrod, you have an impending new generation of fans out there!
The album plays out over fifty-two minutes, with two bonus track included with the vinyl version. It seems to pass in a flash, creating interest, intrigue and a strong urge to hit replay. There is plenty going on in both the music and the instruments, all beautifully constructed with complex arrangements throughout.
Opening track Roses, Rubus, Smilax, Vulcan has a twinkling feel to the start before a burst of energy followed by the vocals. Things then set off at an exciting pace. The title is chanted in an almost choral way as the song progresses seamlessly with swathes of keyboards, including Mellotron. This track is swiftly followed by Revealed as a True Future Tyrant, offering a slower yet more urgent feel. Again there is some choral singing, which just lifts above the music, and some great, gritty sounding saxophone.
Rose Parkington, They Would Not Let You Leave really appeals to me with some wonderful touches of British eccentricity in the music. A bright and cheerful start sets up the melody, short interludes offering up what sounds like British seaside music before going back to the main theme. Towards the end the keyboards have great stereo movement across the speakers, leading to some wild sax and a lovely but brief harp to finish.
The middle section of the album features three pieces which comprise Under den Svenskavintern (During The Swedish Winter). Jag Let opens proceedings with some lovely female vocals before The Dreaded Lurg, a fifteen minute tour de force of textures, melody, rhythm and effects that creates an excellent cohesive whole. The last piece of the suite, Crystallisation, begins with delicate vocals and minimal instruments to creates an atmospheric song.
Huge Machine, You Are So Heavy has some nice accordion and vocals to start; when the keyboards enter the pace builds as the piece develops throughout. The album then concludes with the short Butterfly with spoken word over what appears to be a 1920s Charleston.
An album full of variety and styles, Pig Views features psychedelia, prog, rock and some jazzy elements, to name a few. Beautifully put together, both in terms of song writing and sound quality, Jarrod plays the majority of the instruments but has managed to create a wonderful band feel.
This album has made a lasting impression on me, so much so that I had to buy myself the vinyl version so that I can savour it on my favourite format. I think that this is my favourite release of the year so far, it needs to be heard so please give it a listen.
[You can read Roger Trenwith’s interview with Jarrod Gosling for TPA HERE.]
TRACK LISTING
01. Roses, Rubus, Smilax, Vulkan (7:17)
02. Revealed as a True Future Tyrant (5:30)
03. Pre-Columbian Worry Song (5:25)
04. Rose Parkington, They Would Not Let You Leave (7:07)
Under den Svenskavintern (During The Swedish Winter):
05. Jag Let (1:37)
06. The Dreaded Lurg (14:54)
i) Catch your death
ii) He hath rear’d his sceptre o’er the world
iii) To hunt an ancient vampire
07. Crystallisation (3:18)
08. Huge Machine, You Are So Heavy (6:38)
09. Butterfly (0:52)
~ LP Bonus Tracks:
10. Rökstenen
11. The Evil Eye Is Liquified
Total Time – 52:38 (plus bonus on LP)
MUSICIANS
Jarrod Gosling – Mellotron m400, RM1 Electric Piano, Octave Kitten, ARP 2600, Minimax ASB, Hammond L122, Korg MS20, Phillips Phillicorda AC-755 Organ, Fender Rhodes, Kawai S100, Assorted Keyboards, Rickenbacker 4001 Bass, Fender Precision Bass, Danelectro Double Neck 6/12-string Guitar, Epiphone Les Paul Junior Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Mandolin, Simon and Patrick Acoustic Guitar, Accordion, Stylophone, Voice, Rogers Drums, Percussion, Glockenspiel, Toy Piano, Effects
~ With:
Mick Somerset-Ward – Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones, Flute
Peter Rophone – Voice, Acoustic Guitar
Louis Alkinson – Alto & Tenor Saxophone
Emily Ireland – Voice
Heidi Kilpelainen – Voice
Graham McElearney – Harp
Paul Putner – Voice
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Uranium Club
Formats: CD, Pink Vinyl, Download
Country of Origin: U.K.
Date of Release: 13th July 2018