Gideon Conn's surprising new album
11:12am Tuesday 7th September 2010
IN a musical landscape which has recently only ever occasionally veered away from the indie rock favoured by Oasis, Gideon Conn’s unlikely mix of hip hop-folk is as refreshing as discovering a spring in the desert that isn’t just, well, an oasis!
New Bop Sounds is a musical rainbow with the tempo going off at all angles through a classy collection of tunes which have, quite rightly, won Gideon a real army of fans during his last few years on the road.
Having been lucky enough to experience his live show in a range of arenas — from sunshine festivals, to grimy basement support slots and even in my own local pub — I remain sure that New Bop Sounds will finally catapult the likeable Prestwich lad to the stardom he so thoroughly deserves.
The opening Eccentric lays down a marker of what is to follow and showcases Gideon at his finest at ease with himself, the musicians around him and his slight eccentricity which has become a staple of his musical existance.
With its Other highlights are I Want You Around — a key fixture in live sets since I have known him — with its joyous chorus mantra and Yes No Maybe which is clearly about a girl who he thought was something but turned out to be something else completely.
Wildfire is a slower number altogether while the State Of The Nation, Trademark and Londonderry — a recent single — are all examples of a master storyteller at work.
It will be interesting to see the mainstream music press reaction to New Bop Sounds because it is very difficult to pigeon hole and we all know how much the NME et al like to force musicians and groups into a nice, tight hole.
If you have never seen Gideon live then New Bop Sounds will be a wonderful introduction to an extraordinary talent. If you have been lucky enough then the album is like taking the diminutive singer-songwriter everywhere with you - and that is something we should shout about.
New Bop Sounds, released on New Bop Sounds, is available from online store Yes No Maybe at www.yesnomaybe.co.uk or via iTunes.
Gideon Conn's surprising new album
Featured Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
