- Label
- Source
- Release date
- 17th September 2007
- Genre
- Rock/folk
- Buy this album
- Order CD
Folksy duo let the band join in on ambitious, emotional fourth album
Acoustic, folksy-sounding singer-songwriters are two-a-penny these days. Strange to think that back in 2001, South London duo Turin Brakes broke through, alongside such bands as Elbow and Kings Of Convenience, with a gentler, stripped down sound, dubbed by some as the "New Acoustic Movement". Since their Mercury-nominated debut The Optimist showcased their pretty folk pop mix alongside Olly Knights’ reedy, yearning vocal style, two Top 10 albums have followed in a somewhat more polished, if unremarkable vein.
This fourth effort sees the pair go for a more rugged, looser and rockier feel. Instrumentation is lush and full, and with it, Knights has racked up the heartfelt emotion in contrast to their earlier, somewhat inoffensive melancholy. As a result, tracks such as Ghost and Stalker, while retaining the Brakes’ strummy intimacy, feel more vibrant and punchy, without staggering into epic Snow Patrol-style bombast. Other Side and New Star, however, show they can still grab your attention when they fancy going unplugged again. For most of Dark On Fire, however, Turin Brakes have upped their game and become far more interesting for it.
More to try: Starsailor: Love Is Here Elbow: Asleep In The Back Coldplay: Parachutes
