How
About
Black Olives
Flying Postmen Ltd (2003)
New original album by the former Flying Postmen
Tracks:
1. Above and Beneath [listen
to this song]
2. How About
3. Another Frame Of Mind
4. Swimming
5. A Better Life
6. 30 inches per second
7. Those Gone Days
8. You Haven't Lost
9. Black Olives
10. How
11. Something I Can't Do Without
12. Walking Giraffes
13. Tell Me What You're Gonna Do
Review:
Right from the Stones inspired guitar-laden opener Above and Beneath, Black Olives debut album How About takes you on an entrancing journey of upbeat, rocking songs interspersed with heartfelt ballads, drawing on musical influences from the sixties right up to the present: there’s the Coral-esque organ-driven title track as well as the albums atmospheric concluding number Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do, which tips its hat very much in the direction of Lennon’s Watching The Wheels, even featuring the Beatles old trick - a backwards guitar solo.
Black Olives’ outstanding talent shines throughout the album with principal songwriters Andrei Nicula and Emil Bojescu sharing duties on vocals and guitar, Andrei adding keyboards while Emil provides a solid bassline. Tom Jaworski lends bluesy guitar licks Jeff Beck would be proud of while Mircea Sturza’s understated drumming impeccably rounds off the bands distinctive sound. How About is self-produced together with Richard Studholme who also adds a Free-As-A-Bird-Beatle-style slide solo to Another Frame of Mind, and at whose Kent-based Tonezone Studios the album was recorded.
Their name is a mutation of the Booker T and the MG’s floorfiller Green Onions, and although Black Olives make no secret of their fondness for all things 60’s, these songs are very much reflective of the current inclination to guitar based rock and roll. With an overall positive vibe reminiscent of Crowded House, the albums stand-out tracks include Above and Beneath, A Better Life and Those Gone Days.
If you like instantly memorable melodies or blisteringly raunchy riffs or groovy, laidback undertones how about Black Olives? And if you want an album bursting with of all of these things, how about How About?!
Order details: Email The Word is Love for more info. Cost: £10 GBP.