Search - Mcalmont & Butler :: Bring It Back

I admit..I only found out about this classic album recently

fetish_2000 | U.K. | 04/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The pairing of Ex "Suede" member "Bernard Butler" & Vocalist "David McAlmont" wasn't the most anticipated singer/songwriter duo of the 90's, but after a fairly promising debut (1996's "The Sound of McAlmont & Butler"), and subsequent falling out...it was clear that they were a talented Pair. After resolving their differences, they would return in 2002 with their second long player "Bring It Back" an album of Spector-esque sweeping grandiose soul, which is far in advance of their promising debut and the combination of Butler's astonishing guitar work & McAlmont proving to be the truly capable singer that he is, this work, is one of a duo that have spent their time apart becoming far more confident and capable musicians.



First track "The Theme from McAlmont and Butler" is a surging power neo-Soul belter, with the track starting gently and a voice intro warning "This is the birth....here come the strings, Mix it all in?and let the story begin", (cue string section), and a blazing distorted guitar tears in, soaring beats make their presence known, and builds (almost aggressively) until the soaring chorus (sung by both) kicks in, harmonising "Oh oh sing me that song Let the music play let the band play on....Oh oh sing me that song till I'm gone". Its a breathtaking moment and one that I've heard rarely replicated with so much gusto and enthusiasm, its a furious Rock / Soul workout of pure brilliance.



"Falling" starts with a heavy Kick drum, and swirling keyboards, mixed with an uplifting backing choir powering along, before dropping tempo and becoming more restrained, with McAlmont intoning: "Feeling lost and I don't wanna be here, Burning up inside the atmosphere, If I should spread my wings I could fly away...But I don't wanna stay up here all night", before the song explodes again for the chorus....the backing vocalist's are marvellous here, and the feel of Nu-Soul stylings is spread all over this track.



"Different Strokes", lends an almost Hip-Hop styled beat, thereby which a sophisticated pairing of harmonica and orchestra laden soul searching begins driving the sound...the theme on this track is the idea of people own mistakes not being held against them, with McAlmont singing "We paint with different strokes, From time to time we're broke, But I'm a simple man...Take me for what I am", before sliding into some wonderfully slick 70's 'Marvin Gaye-esque' Motown backbeat soul...with amplified guitar pounding away in the background, with lashing of overearnest chorus bringing this to a satisfying close.



"Can We make it?", is arguably the most FM Radio friendly track on here, yet don't let that make you dismiss this track, as the Soul/Rock hybrid is in full force here (probably designed to snag listeners of both genres). With naggingly upbeat guitars (Butler really is an exceptional guitarist, throughout this album), completely ignoring any of the bland production that trips up similar acts with a full-blown 'Jimi Hendrix' guitar riffing halfway through the track that is exceptional, and the catchy chorus of "Tell me why cant we try, and make the right decision, Just one decision....Tell me why cant we try And make the right decision, Make the right one!!??"...with the some conviction and anthemic soul that signify all the best catchy radio Hits (This track wasn't a massive hit...which begs the question, why??).



"Blue"...spooky synths start this track, aimably drifting along, before gentle slide guitar (one would assume, courtesy of 'Butler') work their magic, soft harmonies are audible in the background and overlayed in a very unassuming way. This is an acoustic ballad of the most stripped-down kind, and McAlmont scaling back on the euphoric vocals, and settling with a mournful "The wind so cold don't wanna be outside, Blue be winter's grave...Shine on the town and turn the blues around....Shine on the town and turn my life around!!" to emotional effect, this the obligatory slow-paced number is excellently placed halfway down the album, to provide a change of pace from all the soaring melodies and Guitar riffing.



"Where R U Now?" uses a sampled beat to start things off, before sections of the song are interrupted with intermittent handclaps and Pedal Steel Guitar...the use of keyboard here, creates a warm sense of contemporary soul displayed here, and shows that the pair aren't completely reliant on belting melodies to highlight their expertise, and being aptly able to move between powerful arrangements & softer acoustic-lite numbers.



"Sunny Boy" maps out a combination of keyboard & Slide Guitar, which all come together to make a almost dusty Northern Soul fusion track...resolutely 'Old School' in its construction, with the warm keyboards mixed with a little percussion coming in and out of the mix, and McAlmonts lyrics are surprisingly telling..."We drove when we were wired, after talking through the night..It was good to find somebody else as crazy, And when the thunder made him high...He was a tripped out spirit child, Awake for four days at a time...", possibly pointing / or hinting to a lifestyle, that would surprise most listeners???....but the incorporation of backing choruses is superbly implemented, and the joyous nature of the track, may well disguise the ambiguous lyrics.



After the promising (but slightly disappointing) debut, the pair confidently stride past the '2-3 strong songs, the rest filler' format that blights a lot of these sorts of albums....and the combination of McAlmonts confident and incredibly durable vocals, mixed with Butlers production know-how, was always going to give this album the edge, but even more importantly, Butler's searing wah-wah guitar work, which is dramatic and incredible at the same time, as well and good use of strings, sweeping arrangements, soul-infused melodies turning into an epic collection of tracks. This really is amongst one of the finest soul albums I've had the pleasure of reviewing, Sure...it'll never quite match the timeless appeal or 'Marvin Gaye' or 'Stevie Wonder', but my god, they've delivered a truly stunning album that isn't afraid to take creative risks (and possibly the reason, why it didn't dent the album charts), and an absolute crying shame that that both parties (McAlmont & Butler) choose not to continue making albums together......tremendous stuff!!!"

Bring it back--again and again and again... (4.5 stars)

M. Lohrke | Provo, UT | 08/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"bernard butler is horrifically underappreciated, especially here in the states. with the likes of 3 doors down, creed, good charlotte and the rest of these so-called 'guitar bands,' ruining the airwaves, churning out three chord songs with the distortion raised to ridiculous and silly levels, it's refreshing to see how someone like butler (who understands what it means to be a guitar player), a genuine guitar virtuoso, coaxes such beautiful sounds from his axe. great guitar players don't necessarily play earth-shattering eddie van halen-esque solos (though bernard certainly could). john lennon said, 'i may not be the best technical guitar player, but i can make a guitar move' (or something like that). it's an edict butler understands well and incorporates into m&b's newest album.



the intro 'theme from...' is a corker. and as someone mentioned, it probably *is* the best opening track to an album since 'introducting the band' off 'dog man star.' i get all giddy when david whispers 'this is a microphone check -- the microphone is working' before bernard kicks in with that buzzsaw guitar of his. 'falling' revisits 'yes' from 'the sound of...' yet it's no pale imitation. it's a huge song, something that might come out of motown were the motor city still the r&b hub of the universe and a great showcase for david's vocals.



the marriage of bluesy singer and rock guitarist may seem an odd combination, but just like alison moyet ('the voice') and vince clark (uber-geeky synth god) made yazoo work so well, david and bernard are a match made in audio heaven. this is a fine collection of songs ranging from the breathtaking 'blue' to the r&b inspired 'bring it back.' david mcalmont proves he's a voice to be reckoned with and bernard butler once again proves he's rock's greatest axeman. one gets the feeling that the album is something of a game of one-ups-manship. mcalmont trying to outdo butler, butler trying to outdo mcalmont. however, i believe this ultimately makes the album that much better: each player brings out the best in his partner, the end result a thrilling, vital, energetic, passionate recorded penned by two incredible musicians.



it's definitely worth the import price, and here's hoping we see mcalmont and butler part III sometime in the future."