JOHNNY FLYNN and THE SUSSEX WIT “BEEN LISTENING” | 08/17/2010
By NICK MACK
We Brits have a lot to answer for. The exploits of Katie “Jordan” Price and some profoundly awful native cuisine are amongst some of our most heinous offerings to the world; however, Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit join a group of people and things that make me feel proud to be British. Flynn and the Wit (which is not an officially recognised nickname, I just made it up on the spot because I am that creative…) move in the same circles as modern day musical titans like Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling. I am of the opinion that Flynn and his lot have more to offer- or more that holds my attention- than Marling and the Mumfords.
It is tragically ironic when musicians weaken what they once had by releasing music that involves more elements and more instruments. The music becomes saturated and boring, instead of rich and powerful. Probably some of the worst musical tragedies occur when musicians release songs that mark a fall from what they once were. This is not to say that I am constantly waiting for all of my favourite musicians to finally start sucking, I simply prefer musical development to musical depreciation. Thankfully, Johnny Flynn achieved true musical wealth and power with the release of Been Listening in June 2010. Flynn got off to a strong start with A Larum, his 2008 debut album. From there he released the Sweet William EP, which showed definite signs of aging and evolving whilst maintaining the originally displayed strengths. The development displayed by this EP made me excited to hear what might happen next.
Johnny Flynn’s voice has an age that far outweighs the 27 years he has spent so far. When I heard his voice for the first time I gave it the face of an aging, graying father, who has beaten a midlife crisis and shouldered the burdens of life admirably. Been Listening makes me picture Flynn as the same man, only now he is a grandfather who has borne a few more decades of the world’s strife. The added musical instruments mean that old man Flynn has put on weight, but is still as strong as an ox.
The album opens with the strong and punchy “Kentucky Pill”. This song has all the traits of a hit single and is our introduction to Flynn’s unbridled use of horns. He has used these in the past but never placed them at the forefront in the same way that he does on his latest release. The horns are not obnoxious or otherwise overpowering; they compliment and play nicely with the other instruments.
“Barnacled Warship” is the song that slapped me across the face when I first heard Been Listening. I did not take offence to such an assault, instead I am thankful that it shocked me back towards the truth that I need not be such a pessimist; people are still out there writing excellent music.
Two other songs that stood out to me are “The Water” and “Howl”. The former is a haunting collaboration with Laura Marling that does not need anything more than some light and simple string work and the two voices of Flynn and Marling to make it a tearjerker and soul stirrer. “Howl” features a delightfully filthy electric guitar sound and a powerful trumpet riff that strikes out of nowhere like a knockout uppercut in the midst of a barroom brawl. I was unaware that trumpet riffs could do such a thing. Actually, I am not even sure whether there is such a thing as a “trumpet riff”. Hopefully you will listen to “Howl” and know what I am talking about.
Overall, my hope is that Been Listening will grab you as it has grabbed me. There is nothing like having feelings for music reciprocated. So, do you like it? Please tick yes, no or maybe.
OUT OF FIVE QUEENS!
Tags: Been Listening, Johnny Flynn, Music, nick mack, review, The Sussex
Post Details: This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 12:50 am and is filed under Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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Jason
