Coral Island

The Coral have had quite a journey since bursting on to the scene 20-years ago; key members have left, there have been breakdowns, label changes, commercial and critical success and all the while the band have remained true to themselves; producing psychedelic pop and not really caring about what anyone else was doing or saying about them.

A recent Mojo feature took a deep dive into where the band have been (and there were some dark, dark days) to where they are now, releasing their 10th album Coral Island. It feels like a landmark in more ways than one.

Positive reviews have been coming in thick and fast, potentially taking some (even the band) by surprise. 

'To say we're overwhelmed with the reaction to Coral Island would be an understatement. If you'd told us last month that a psychedelic double album about an imaginary seaside resort would push the top end of the charts we wouldn't have believed you.' @thecoralband

The Coral deserve all the praise coming their way. They have played to their strengths, but they have pushed themselves, creativity bursts out of the songs, the album and the theme.

Ah, the theme. The band are quick to stress that this isn't a concept album, but a theme, stemming from their youth and visits to the seaside, in the case of singer James Skelly, his family were often working.

There is a warm glow of reflection throughout the album, beginning with a narrative by Skelly's grandfather;

On coral Island you can fall in love

On the piers and promenades

On the boardwalks and bridleways of innocent dreams

Lover Undiscovered then kicks in with warm guitars and Skelly's voice sounding tender yet confident. The song builds beautifully; verse, bridge and then a chorus full of melodies and harmonies. Each of the 3 bridges to the chorus is different, I particularly love the lyrics in the second one.

And when her hair hangs down

It's like the sun touching the tides

What a gem of a song. It flows superbly, there is a glorious little rhythm guitar riff throughout that allows some excellent keyboards and vocal melodies over the top and also an outrageously brilliant little guitar solo.

Lover Undiscovered video

The Coral are straight into Change Your Mind, another warm melodic burst of guitar pop. What a glorious opening to the album. Things slow down a little for Mist On The River allowing a little more of The Coral's psychedelic side to shine through. They do this again on the beautifully dreamy The Game She Plays, also on Autumn Has Come, though this has a jauntiness that mixes with the melancholy. 

Elsewhere My Best Friend is a real favourite of mine, melodies just come tumbling out in a song that is pure an flowing. Golden Age sounds reflective, even though it is sung in present tense, while Take Me Back To The Summer Time could easily pass as a lost Super Furry Animals song.

There are 24-tracks on the album, 9 are spoken word interludes. There is a lot to take in and although some stand out, you're rewarded after a few listens, you appreciate the melodies, the musicianship, the imagination and spot the influences. The Calico Girl, for example, is pure Paul McCartney.

All in all, I couldn't help but fall for Coral Island. There is a lot of charm, loads of melodies, you can hear and sense the band are at ease and enjoying themselves and they've pushed themselves and their audience a little with their ambition. Many bands will be chomping at the bit to get back to playing live, given the reaction to this album, The Coral's bookers might be considering bigger venues.

Dreaming Of You

Trust Me #25 

I'll be blogging on The Coral's fantastic new album Coral Island next month.

Before then, I thought I would write a bonus Trust Me blog on their 2002 single Dreaming Of You after watching a sensational performance from Later with ... Jools on the iPlayer.

CLICK HERE if you can't see the video embedded below.

Dreaming Of You is a 2 minute 20 second slice of pop perfection, brimming with the confidence of a band totally in the zone, full of complete belief in their playing style and talent.

A funky bass riff introduces a rhythm that could easily have been influenced by skiffle, with a melody played on an organ/keys and then over the top of that are glorious backing vocals and the voice of James Skelly.

The Coral make full use of their 100 seconds. At 1-minute 25 seconds an 'oh yeah' introduces an instrumental section with xylophone and yearning backing vocals until 2-minutes when Skelly comes in with a final chorus.

Only 22 upon release, Skelly displays raw and rich soul in his vocals that portray love and lust mixed with realisation and honesty. Look at the incredible Later footage above, he is totally going for it, his band are totally on it, they are all in the zone. They look like a real gang, Bill Ryder-Jones on guitar, still in his teens, looks cool as a cucumber, they all look unphased to be on the Beeb's flagship music show, determined to use their time and smash it out the park. They do!

The first verse is only 2 lines, straight into the chorus that ends with a bitter kiss off.

Up in my lonely room

When I'm dreaming of you

Oh what can I do

I still need you

But I don't want you

The second verse is doubled in length, Skelly has realised it's gonna hurt, but I'm gonna have to say goodbye. Then it's into the instrumental before one final rasping chorus.

Dreaming With You is a glorious burst of pop soul, everything you could want from a band in their teens and early 20's. Unfiltered, heartfelt music delivered with urgency and passion by a band who have always been in their own bubble, as beautifully demonstrated on their new album. Check the original video HERE

You can listen to all the songs I've featured in my Trust Me series in a playlist by searching for Everything Flows Trust Me on Spotify or by CLICKING HERE

You can also read about the previous songs I've written about by clicking on the links below.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

Five for Friday - Part III

Arcade Fire are on of the most creative, passionate and talented bands out there.

David Bowie is still under-rated, partly because i think like Ziggy Stardust, he is from a different planet. The guy is a phenomenon. Bowie and Ronson on fire.

The re-issue of 'Exile On Main Street' has been on and off my stereo since it came out. This is an example of why. Sheer rock'n'roll.

LCD Soundsystem have been one of my favourite bands of recent times. James Murphy is coolness personified - elements of funk, soul, electro, techno, pop, garage...and anything else that takes his fancy are thrown together to create some spectacular results.

I've recently discovered the album 'Butterfly House' by The Coral. It is a beautiful album, lovingly crafted with tons of harmonies, hooks and some brilliant guitar work. The production is also stunning with elements of late 60's bands like Love a clear influence.