Opening their offering with a smooth yet sombre, captivating string ensemble introduction, The Savings And Loan immediately evidence their sensitive, moving and beautiful if melancholic intentions. 'Swallow' then falls into a raw down-tempo song with Martin Donnelly's low Tom Smith (Editors) meets Tom Waits vocals sounded bare over an intricately picked solo nylon strung guitar accompaniment. The simplicity of 'Swallow' ads a raw guitar and vocal only number instantly offers the flavour of a sombre yet entrancing open mic act; the kind that, depressing as they might be, one can't help but be drawn into their sorrowful yet entrancing song.
Heralding more of a full band, early Coldplay-like blend with 'Lit Out' and many of the tracks that follow, Scottish duo The Savings And loan combine picked guitar with sensitive brushed drums and hints of electric guitar, bass, piano and organ forming a gentle accompaniment to the honest and poetic lyrics sung by Donnelly. 'Pale Water' later evidence sensitive Buckland-esque electric guitar parts echoing over a ground of organ and acoustic guitar; but, unlike the early Coldplay material that The Savings And Loan can be compared to, their tracks never kick in to a strong chorus. The influence of the likes of sombre folk-blues singer songwriters Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits also sound clear, however, the chordal structures throughout this album remain simple and largely repetitive throughout meaning that a great chunk of mid-album tracks unfortunately blur into one.
The highlights of Today I Need Light, however, hidden towards its close and perseverance through a wealth of samey, depressing songs is rewarded. 'Her Window' begins in the familiar melancholic vein with Donnelly singing of crucifixion over a similarly morbid accompaniment combining organ drone under strummed acoustic, sensitive bass and subtle hints of electric guitar and piano. 'Her Window' later picks up with smooth low strings, tambourine and a gentle piano countermelody, building as a glimmer of beautiful ad hopeful light in an otherwise woeful and dark release.
The six minute conclusion to the album then evidences the same sombre start; towards the close of the track, however, a gentle brass ensemble joins to warm the cold, dark sombre and seemingly solitary songwriting like the warming, rich sound of the Salvation Army band in the winter time. The chorus, complete with the simple yet beautiful accompanying harmonies of the mellow brass ensemble, then repeats to bring the album to a mesmerising close.
Despite its inconsistency and prolonged melancholy, Today I Need Light does evidence occasional moments of true musical beauty and potential; a promising start.
Tracklist
01. Swallows
02. Lit Out
03. The Virgin’s Lullaby
04. Catholic Boys in the Rain
05. Pale Water
06. The Star of the County Down
07. Met (a Storm)
08. Her Window
09. A Pleasing Companion
http://www.myspace.com/thesavingsandloan
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