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Artist – Only Child
EP – Sound
Released – 4th September 2020
Reviewer – Stuart Todd, Liverpool Acoustic
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In the absence of live performances, the lockdown period has seen many musicians adapt to the new environment with online gigs. With the recording of the fourth album on hold, Only Child take a detour with their latest release.
The ‘Sound’ EP was recorded in the socially distanced environment of Crosstown Studios in Liverpool. Frontman Alan O’Hare reinterprets the sound of local legends Ian Prowse (Pele, Amsterdam), Dave McCabe (Zutons), Kathyrn Williams, Alun Parry and John Power (La’s, Cast).
Alan has described these songs as being close to his heart. However this is no random trip down Memory Lane. The material here has been carefully selected. The sound is stripped down to mainly one vocal and acoustic guitar, with electric guitar embellishments (courtesy of long-time collaborator Jon Lawton). These songs in their original versions may seem to have little in common on the surface but the sound and sequencing of this set would suggest otherwise.
Home (by Ian Prowse) uses the ebow and slide on the electric guitar in place of the violin, stripping away the Celtic folk elements and re-imagining it as an atmospheric mood piece. The vocal here is understated, with the lower register of the voice complimenting the Robert Fripp style electric guitar.
Remember Me (by The Zutons) also benefits from the scaled back production, with the jaunty exuberance of the original replaced by a wistful vocal that tries to “keep the feeling in.” Again the electric guitar here compliments the vocal on the chorus.
Heart Shaped Stone is the most affecting song and serves as the centre-piece of the set. This is a terrific interpretation of the Kathryn Williams song, with a sublime blend of acoustic and electric guitars.
I Want Rosa To Stay (by Alun Parry) is transformed from anthemic folk ballad into an electric call to arms, with chiming Billy Bragg style guitar. The simple tale of a refugee continues to resonant, with immigration remaining a sharply divided issue. It’s the most lively and defiant track here and is a welcome change of pace.
Small Farm (by John Power) is a low-key ballad that closes the set on an uplifting note.
The sequencing of the tracks (especially between Remember Me and Heart Shaped Stone) is worth noting, with the guitar sounds consistent between each track. What also impresses is that the selections from the artists chosen (with the possible exception of I Want Rosa To Stay) are not obvious and makes ‘Sound’ by Only Child worth investigating.
Stuart Todd
Review © 2020 Stuart Todd, Liverpool Acoustic
The Sound EP was released on 4th September 2020 and is available to buy from Bandcamp.
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Only Child
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