Don't Call It A Comeback
By DJ M on June 22nd, 2006
In Miscellaneous Music
If you've seen our numerous PREVIOUS POSTS on Scritti Politti's new album White Bread, Black Beer, you could probably tell that we have been waiting anxiously to receive a promo copy of the disc. Well, the disc finally arrived in yesterday's mail, and it was well worth the wait.
Although the disc was released in UK in May on the Rough Trade lable, White Bread, Black Beer is being released by Nonesuch in late July in the US. (Note - Nonesuch is the label that released SMiLE.)
Several articles in the UK press have compared White Bread, Black Beer to the work of Brian Wilson. The vocal arrangements and elaborate vocal overdubbing on White Bread, Black Beer is somewhat reminiscent of some of Wilson's work. Think the beautiful, layered vocals from SMiLE with the stripped down backing tracks of Smiley Smile and you are in the ballpark. Like Brian did on Gettin' In Over My Head, all of the vocal parts are done by Green Gartside, who is Scritti Politti.
The standout track is "Dr. Abernathy", which shifts from spare vocals and acoustic guitar, in the vein of Elliott Smith, to elaborate pop perfection. White Bread, Black Beer deserves more attention than I can give to it now. I need to let its riches soak into my brain much more. In the meantime, check out these links for more information:
BIBBLY-O-TEK
I LOVE MUSIC
VANGUARD ONLINE
THE SUN UK
SCOTSMAN
SOUND OF THE SUBURB BLOG