Album review: Merry Hell – Head Full Of Magic, Shoes Full Of Rain

ALBUM REVIEW

Band: Merry Hell

Album: Head Full Of Magic, Shoes Full Of Rain

Website: merryhell.co.uk

Have you ever been in that situation where a band’s debut album has fast become one of your favourites, and then they release a follow-up and you’re apprehensive about listening to it just in case it’s not as good? Anyone who’s listened to ‘Blink… And You Miss It’ (2011) by local folk rockers Merry Hell will know what I mean. It’s an absolutely storming debut, and impossible to match. Or so I thought.

‘Head Full Of Magic, Shoes Full Of Rain’ is every bit as good as it’s predecessor, if not better.

Here we have 14 hugely impressive songs from the opening salvo against body image fascism ‘Love The Skin You’re In’, to the closing (and topically titled) ‘Iron Man’. I was originally going to pick out my favourites until I realized that most of the songs were my favourite…! Special mention, however, must go to ‘Emerald Green’, a love duet between the sweetheart left at home and the soldier fighting on the front line. This is an exceptionally well-written and performed song, and is sure to go down as a classic in years to come. Folkcast’s Ken Nicol (The Albion Band, Steeleye Span) described it as a perfect song, and I wouldn’t argue with that.

The album’s mix of voices works really well, with main vocal duties being shared between Andrew Kettle who takes the lead on songs such as ‘Hope You Don’t Mind’ and ‘Roseanna, Let Me In’ and Virginia Kettle who steps up to the mic for ‘Let’s Not Have A Morning After (‘Till We’ve Had A Night Before) and ‘Bury Me Naked’. Regardless of who’s singing the lead, the harmonies are always spot-on with Andrew and Virginia’s voices complementing each other wonderfully.

Another reason why this album works so well is the variety of song styles, which can be put down to the fact that songwriting duties are shared between Virginia Kettle (vocals/guitar/banjo), John Kettle (guitar), Lee Goulding (keyboards), and Bob Kettle (mandolin). ‘Morning After’ has a party feel, helped along by guest musician Dave Swarbrick on fiddle, whereas ‘My Finest Hour’ starts with a military drum beat and is the only song I know written about a mother-in-law. ‘Build A Mansion’ changes the mood with the addition of a type of small harpsichord known as a spinet (I had to look that up) and shuttle pipes (I had to look that up too!).  ‘Let The Music Speak’ has a wonderful Klezmer vibe, and ‘Bury Me Naked’ has a waltzy hurdy gurdy accompaniment, with phrasing and subject matter that echoes the late, great Jake Thackray.

On a side note, it turns out that ‘Bury Me Naked’ was also the original album title until they changed it to ‘Head Full Of Magic, Shoes Full Of Rain’, a line from the song ‘I Never Loved Anybody Like I Love You’. I like to think it’s because they struggled to keep the album artwork… er… suitable.

The band lineup is completed with the addition of Andy Jones (drums), Andrew Dawson (bass), and Andrew Kettle (vocals). It goes without saying that the musicianship across the board is excellent!

Growing out of the ashes of former local heros The Tansads, Merry Hell have developed their own sound, style and identity while keeping true to their roots. This is my type of music – full of character, vitality and fun, mixing the serious with the not quite so serious, and being eminently sing-alongable along the way. If you’re looking to spice up your music collection then I can’t recommend this album highly enough. And they’re brilliant playing live too!

Head Full Of Magic, Shoes Full Of Rain was released on 20th May 2013 on Mrs Casey Records and is available to buy from:-

• [Merry Hell] CD
• [iTunes] download
• [Amazon] CD & download

© 2013 Graham Holland – Liverpool Acoustic

Merry Hell

Website – merryhell.co.uk

Facebook – facebook.com/pages/Merry-Hell/168712159832414

Twitter – @MerryHell_band

Soundcloud – soundcloud.com/merryhell

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Album review: Merry Hell – Head Full Of Magic, Shoes Full Of Rain