Where Did the Year Go starts off this album in the usual, infallible The People The Poet way.
You know the sound from the get go and that magic song-writing formula certainly doesn’t disappoint throughout this 12- track beauty.
Front man and lyricist Leon delves deep into his and the bands childhood years. The reminiscence is clear on songs like Streets And Avenues, Beddau Boys and the first track release, Where The Dandelions Roar, telling tales of misspent youth and all the usual growing pains of teenage lads and adolescent friends.
Not From This Town changes the format slightly, bringing a rockier edge and some sweet saxophone a la the Boss and his E-Street Band. Keeping the Springsteen formula, Kids On The Corner brings back some memories we can all look back on, hanging out on the streets and shop corners trying to make something out of life, not aware of what our future can bring. A short but sweet interlude, Moving On is a touching acoustic, dealing with the loss of a loved one and takes us straight back into the deep, dark depths of our memories before upping the tempo again on Late Late 28 and From Time To Time, both coming to terms with our loves and losses as time goes by.
Ruins Of Rome is another beautiful acoustic-based track that mixes the perfection of TPTP and the brilliance of Bob Dylan, with stunning vocals and harmonies, getting the hairs standing on end.....
The next track immediately gets your head nodding and foot tapping with the ever-capable drums of Lewis and funky basslines from Pete. This Is Our Time seems to showcase all the bands talents with some sweet guitar work from Tyla!
And then to the end…the final track…Love Will Find You In The End.
Even with all the hardships we go through in life, the good times, the bad times, the loves, the losses, there is always a spark of positivity and love conquers all.
This is a superb album, as was its predecessor, The Narrator. You never get a bad song from The People The Poet. They keep the lyrics emotive and the music tight.
Its like one of those movies that pull at the heartstrings hard and leave you feeling reminiscent. Sad at what you’ve lost, memories of innocence and times that make you proud and thankful for what you have now. Perfect!
Go To Tracks - Hard to choose but Streets And Avenues, Late Late 28 & Love Will Find You In The End stood out for me.
Gigs N Trigs Rating – 5/5 Get all the info at www.thepeoplethepoet.com
A Short Obsession With Time Album Launch at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff April 13th. Tickets are just £5 and available from the Dice app.
