The Eastern Swell return next week with their second LP for Stereogram Recordings ‘Hand Rolled Halo’ due out on 16th November.
The album was preceded by the release of its first single ‘Down Again By Blackwaterside’ a couple of weeks back which goes like this:
‘Hand Rolled Halo’, like its predecessor ‘One Day, A Flood’, features string arrangements by Pete Harvey, and this only reinforces the folk element of the band’s sound. Whereas ‘One Day’ rocked in places, ‘Hand Rolled Halo’ is a more contemplative affair, with its guitars more tuned to reflect the atmosphere of the songs than drive (some of) them forward.
In that regard it’s perhaps a less immediate record and yet songs like the single and the gorgeous opening song ‘Miles From Home’ will snare the casual listener after just a couple of plays.
The launch gig for the album, which comes out on CD and vinyl after an online Pledge campaign, takes place at the Voodoo Rooms on Thursday 5th with special guests Storm the Palace and Lavinia Blackwell.
Manic Pop Thrills 