The new album from The Wave Pictures is called Brushes With Happiness, but there's really nothing "happy" about what's here on this record, out as of yesterday via Moshi Moshi. That said, the tunes here have a certain morose charm.
If numbers like "The Red Suitcase" and "Rise Up" recall Tindersticks and Crime and The City Solution, the lighter "The Little Window" offers a more expansive, poetic vision. On this one, at least, front-man Dave Tattersall paints a picture of London that is enticing, the near-spoken word bits drawing a listener slowly in. Elsewhere, "The Burnt Match" is a bit hypnotic, very nearly reminiscent of slower numbers from Hefner from decades ago.
So much of Brushes With Happiness is contemplative that it's hard to work up a full head of steam when recommending this record. However, there's enough here that rewards a careful listen, that I think this new album from The Wave Pictures is the sort of thing that deserves some attention.
Brushes With Happiness is out now via Moshi Moshi.
More details via the band's official Facebook page, or their official website.
[Photo: James Loveday]