The Rolling River Band - Been A Long Time / Such Is Life
By Russell Barker
The Rolling River Band's first album 'Been A Long Time' is a lush, mellow, country folk affair. The vocals are mainly reminiscent of Lloyd Cole's hushed tones although sometime Lou Reed springs to mind on tracks like 'Sweet Virginia'.
In fact the whole album sits somewhere between Lloyd Cole and Dylan when he's at his maudlin best. The highlights are the aforementioned 'Sweet Virginia', a song that shimmies in and out as the singer growls gently and sighs, and 'On The Beach' a song featuring a wonderful chorus that goes up and then drops down gently.
Two years on and the follow up 'Such Is Life' comes out. This time it's an altogether more folk based affair and sounds better for it.
The album title is further evoked in lead track 'High', where the main character knows his perfect life can't last. 'Birdman' reminds you of Mike Scott and the gentler side of the Waterboys albums.
This time it's this Celtic soul that permeates this album, lovely pastoral sounds wafting from the speakers throughout its duration.
Steven Perrott and Colin Adams recorded both these albums at their home studio just outside Edinburgh a mere two years apart, but the difference is noticeable. The relaxed environment of recording at home comes through more on the second album, probably due to having gained the experience of doing it first time round.
What you have is two deliciously warm albums, pay attention when you listen to take in all their nuances and you'll be rewarded, more so on 'Such Is Life'.
Russell Barker (4 Jun 2006)