Bill Ryder-Jones - A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart album review

After departing in 2008, the former Coral guitarist immersed himself in a number of films scores, such as 'A Leave Taking', 'It's Natural To Be Afraid' and 'Bed' before recording the compelling 'If..' an imaginary musical score based on 'If On A Winter's Night A Traveller' but with his latest effort, Ryder-Jones has firmly placed himself as a singer/songwriter, with a whispered spoken like vocal, fitting perfectly into the feel of the music and lyrics, chronicling his childhood, love and losses, sounding like a man who had it all and but has slowly lost touch with what he had and begins reflecting upon.

The album is a delicate work of art for the ear. The often brooding piano and softly played guitar and deep emotive lyrics and Ryder-Jones' broken man vocal are the cornerstone for this record. 

Opening with the trio of 'Hanging Song', 'There's A World Between Us' and 'A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart Part One' sets the tone for the album, delicate, intricate and sadly beautiful. 

'The Lemon Trees #3' provides a firm early highlight, announcing the albums arrival and the dark alluring 'Anthony & Owen'

The album hits it's peak with 'Wild Swans' which was recently released as a single is masterfully pieced together, with some brilliant outro guitar work and lyrics such as 'don't tell me that it's over, it's not over 'til I say it's over..' 

'Christina, That's The Saddest Thing' continues this as the album goes from strength to strength onwards until the end, with hand claps and a more positive outlook, running through the darkly tinged 'You're Getting Like Your Sister' 

Ryder-Jones briefly comes out of his shell for a compelling vocal and all round louder played 'He Took You In His Arms', yet never letting up on the emotion entailed and words of 'he took you from my arms into the dark, I found your homework in the park..' with an equally stunning video as seen below as Ryder-Jones journeys around Merseyside with his piano in tow.

The album takes a breath before a solo piano and synth round up the album with 'A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart Part II' opening with a beautiful piano piece, and a vocal almost at breaking point, before erupting into drums and swirling guitars and the repeated phase of 'will happiness come at last?' a question Bill has been asking himself all through the album.

Upon first listen the album appears to be one long symphony, but you find yourself running back to certain tracks and re-visiting the album as a whole and in a certain frame of mind, you're right there with him in these songs, picking up on the intricate guitar and piano notes which resonate perfectly and packaged with a visually stunning piece of artwork to accompany the album, it'll be hard to find a better record all year. 

Highlights: The Lemon Trees #3, Wild Swans & A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart Part II. 

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