The Albany
Live @ The Zanzibar 21/01/2012
The setting is a crowded Zanzibar in Liverpool City Centre, the home of the last burst of great Scouse bands such as The Zutons, The Coral, The Bandits, The Great Northwestern Hoboes and The Stands, who were dubbed the Cosmic Scouse Movement, amongst the crowd at the Zanzibar, are folk of all ages out supporting their friends and loved ones, cans of Red Stripe decorating the floors, tables and gig goers' hands.
The Albany, a four piece Liverpool band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Matty Loughlin, guitarist Liam Rowlands, bassist Nicky McGrane and drummer Ste Buckley. Influenced by all things Scouse and sea, as well as Bob Dylan, The La's, Shack and Leonard Cohen.
The opening "Old Town Square" is an ode to drinking to one's health, it's a strong song and a sign of things to come, a sense of a calm urgency, interesting vibe.
An eerie lead guitar opens the next song "Strangers Lament" and a high pitched vocal demand the foot to be tapped away and the talk of the morning sun and being a stranger in a foreign land are brilliant crafted lyrics, clearly using their influences use of strong lyrics.
The band break into "Northern Rose" a head bobbing, hip shaking tune, backed with the constant song complimenting bass and drums, the set continues to get stronger as it progresses.
Next up, we're treated to a new song, the Bob Dylan-esque "Feelin' In My Pocket" with the lyric of "this feeling in my pocket, they call the blues" is a fantastic hook and belongs on a Summer soundtrack with a brilliant feel.
The band break into a three harmony opening for "Girl", which again, wouldn't be out of place on a summer soundtrack, in which you find yourself joining in with the backing vocal throughout.
The dance like beat drums open the next song "Secrets Of The Night" with the return of a eerie lead guitar part, the band are reminiscent of The Coral, who have their strong 60's beat and sounding roots. The consistent top vocal sounds like a man on the run.
The bass player breaks into the acapella line of "the tories gonna get you, gonna put you in the dole queue..." which sounds like a chant rather than a song, and is a return down to earth, the song "To Hell, Boys" is among many of the highlights from their set. The guitar comes in and carries the song as if it's riding valiantly on horseback.
Complete with the briliant chorus line of "fuck 'em all to hell boys, fuck 'em all to hell" is an ingenious lyric, one can only hope to write and once again you find yourself singing along. The song could rival fellow Scouse man Pete Wylie's "The Day That Margaret Thatcher dies". You can tell it's the Mersey that runs through their veins.
The set is brilliant - effortless melodies, tight rhythm section, the constant high standard vocals, skilled lead guitar, interesting lyrics and the strange sense of knowing the songs, without ever hearing them before and you find yourself trying to remember the words. Which is very rare to find and watching a band who surprisingly and criminally don't have a label. Great sounds, great vibe.
Fuck 'em all to hell boys, fuck 'em all to hell.
you can book/contact/hear/get updates here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Albany/82644350876?ref=ts
https://twitter.com/The_Albany
http://soundcloud.com/thealbany
