At Rough Trade , Bristol
The sheer variety offered up by Kami and James in this 8 set show to launch brand new album “Cancel the Sun” is testament to how accomplished they are at their chosen craft.
Guitar pop anthems, such as “Call me when it all goes wrong” and “Ball and chain” blended seamlessly with classic folk songs like “William Taylor”. And all delivered with such ease.
The switch up’s work so well.
Kami’s ultra clean vocals complimented by the exceptional skill of James on guitar. Then James taking the lead with rasping, pop rock edged vocals whilst Kami harmonises are blissful interchanges that show off the huge range this band has at its disposal.
In all, 6 of the albums 10 tracks were performed. And we were even treated to a song from each of the previous two albums as well.
And those lucky enough to have braved the horrific weather to catch the band in action listened to every note before bursting into resounding applause.
The new album has so many different layers that it makes it feel different every time you play through. The finger tapping, hum along melodies of “Waiting on Something” contrast sharply with psychedelic vibes of title track “Cancel the sun”. Before your brought back to the folk based origins of the band with tracks like “Mossy Well”.
The album also has a great sense of tongue in cheek humour with tracks like “Save the planet” that are sure to make the ears prick up and a rye smile cross the face.
The Rails have accomplished one of the hardest feats in music with this third album. They will keep originals fans of their sound happy at the same time as winning in new fans that wouldn’t traditional lend an ear to “folk or folk-rock”. This maybe down to the fact that Kami and James refuse to pigeon hole themselves and instead simply try to make and play music that they themselves like to hear.
And the good news is Bristol wont have to wait long to catch The Rails again. They’ll be back full band style on the 28th of October when they play The Louisiana.
If this 8 set taster was anything to go by then music fans of Bristol are in for a treat.
Set List
- Ball and chain
- Call me when it all goes wrong
- Save the Planet
- Mossy Well
- Something is Slipping my mind
- William Taylor
- Other People
- Cancel the Sun