Every once in a while, a song or an artist comes along to capture your fancy in an unexpected way. Such is the case with Brendan Perkins’ latest offering, Stories From The Old Church Lane. Perkins was totally unknown to me prior to showing up on the TPA list of albums to review. My bad, because this is his 24th album in a recording career that began in 2008. Perkins is a multi-instrumentalist who draws upon the more melodic symphonic sounds of seventies prog without becoming mired in his influences. Stories is a concept album which follows his previous album, Favourite Places. It is about settling down in an old country village where the towns residents are “larger than life and seem to have been around almost as long as the church building itself”.
The opening track, Another Eveningtime, is the song which initially drew me in. The tranquil introduction could have been lifted from a classic Moody Blues album; just listen to that guitar tone. It quickly yields to a verse dominated by drums and Perkins’ signature Rickenbacker bass sound. The bridge is delightfully atmospheric and conjures a floating feeling. The vocals are consistently melodic and pleasant and possess a pop sheen which is not unwelcome. The several moods captured by the song seem to reflect the protagonist’s thoughts about moving from the hustle and bustle of city life to that possibly idyllic small town. Olivia Ruth is a more vocal oriented track about an old woman who collects odds and ends. Bass and drums are mixed up front, but the guitar gets its chance to solo and shine. The harmonized guitar leads are especially engaging, underpinned by soft pillows of synth strings. Even the vocals feel like a soft, warm hug embracing the character and her story. My only criticism is that, for the coda, it feels like each instrument is challenging the others for prominence, like the cluttered collection of curios is vying for attention. A bit more subtlety would have been gladly received.
Amelia’s Wedding is a delightful mid-tempo song dressed in luscious keys and twin guitars. Refreshingly, the talent on display is not the sort to point a finger at itself. Rather, the key is that, in place of flash, we have an artist who provides what is necessary to serve the song and help tell the story. Perkins’ in-your-face bass approach seems to be his calling card, and yet it somehow works to keep each song grounded in an otherwise whimsical setting. The album’s longest piece at eight and a half minutes is Bram’s Return (From Metro Fair), a poignant tale of a man returning to small town comforts following a stint in the city. The waltz time and beautiful chord sequences mirror the character’s relief as he sings: “Leaving all the city lights that promised me a golden world of dreams come true, but I’d rather be with you”. The acoustic guitar and soft synths bring to life the tenderness of the lyrics. Beautiful, emotional, and the album’s beating heart.
At just under five minutes, Ned And Mary is the album’s shortest track. Gentle and reflective, the vocals and keys are the stars of this relatively simple arrangement. Perkins is a sensitive musician, allowing the story line to dictate his instrumental approach. The story of an old couple who have lived through a life that has seen some changes keeps the mood subdued but ever hopeful. The album concludes with Summer’s End, a skyful of sweet synths pierced by rays of electric guitar conjuring the end of the season. The busy bass and drum accompaniment contrasts with the sedate vocal proclaiming: “The choir singing sweet / The glowing sense of autumn on the air / They’re dancing faster now / It feels like flying somehow”. The subtle use of multiple percussion instruments gives the song a sense of movement, and the orchestral keys in the final minutes lend a sort of grandeur.
Listening to Stories From The Old Church Lane is like wearing a favourite old flannel shirt as the weather cools down. It is comfortable, warm and embracing. This is prog that concentrates on mood and story, not time signatures and noodly instrumentals. It is beautiful, heartfelt songs about people living ordinary lives in a small town, the aural equivalent of a cozy night with a chill in the air and a fire in the hearth. A most enjoyable listen.
TRACK LISTING
01. Another Eveningtime (07:49)
02. Olivia Ruth (7:18)
03. Amelia’s Wedding (7:50)
04. Bram’s Return (From Metro Fair) (8:29)
05. Ned And Mary (4:43)
06. Summer’s End (7:19)
Total Time – 43:30
MUSICIANS
Brendan Perkins – Bass, Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Keyboards, Uke, Percussion, Vocals
Helen Flunder – Backing Vocals (1)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 5th April 2025
LINKS
Brendan Perkins – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube
