14.2.09

The Allender Band - Outer Dark (2009)


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Named after the Cormac McCarthy novel, Outer Dark follows on from the success of the In the Grip of Light EP. The album perfects The Allender Band's trademark sound of intricate guitar work, spacious arrangements and country-tinged melodic rock. Nostalgia and the consolations of nature are recurring lyrical themes.

The album opens with the lush, pastoral 'Bude' which, with its complex arrangement and cryptic lyrics, recalls the extended narrative songs of Joanna Newsom's Ys. The deceptively simple, classic sound of 'Riverrun' has already enjoyed airplay on Gideon Coe's BBC 6 Music show, and we've made an MP3 of this track available for free download (MP3). Elsewhere the band diversify their sound on the upbeat 'Healing of a Lunatic Boy' and 'Nighttown' which, despite their unusual chord changes and surreal lyrics, are pop songs at heart. Indeed 'Nighttown' could be the band’s most radio-friendly moment yet.

Tracks from In the Grip of Light, which was released in May 2008 on Dreamboat Records, were played on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 by Gideon Coe, Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie, and Steve Lamacq. Mark Radcliffe praised the band’s sound, and Allender’s "extraordinary" guitar playing. Steve Lamacq went on to interview the band and made them "Featured Artist of the Week" on his Radio 2 show.


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