Benjamin Francis Leftwich- Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm

What is the best birthday present one may get? The album of someone you have been following for quite a while.

Pretty much since I have been writing for Ripple, Benjamin Francis Leftwich has popped up in my inbox periodically and I have grown to love him. So, imagine my joy when Racer manages to talk nicely and get me his album!

Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm now sits next to Priory in my favourite albums of this year. Much for the same reasons too- they are both beautifully constructed, connect with me, and have a deeper overall meaning.

Before we start I should just mention Benjamin Francis Leftwich has the most beautiful voice. It is so clear, in tune, just wonderful to listen to and his music just really supports that. I am in no way saying that the music is the background, and could be easily discarded- quite the opposite! You can simply not have one without the other without a feeling of hollowness. It is surprising to realise this is a debut album, because it is so polished- I can see no place for him to make this better next time round.

Every song on the album is amazing, but to avoid sounding like an old record repeating myself constantly, I will take you through a few favourites...

“Butterfly Culture” is a stand out on Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm. With the fingerpicking, sweet guitar, slow movement and lyrics matching up and pulling together a beautiful song. 
“The girl in that dress,
Will undress,
And distress you with the way that she moves”

“Atlas Hands” is what I believe one of the better known songs is, so I thought I would share it with you. (see youtube video)
“I will remember your face
'Cause I am still in love with that place
When the stars are the only things we share
Will you be there?
I've got a plan
I've got an atlas in my hands
I'm gonna turn when I listen to the lessons that I've learned”

“Shine” has a faster pace than the other songs, making it a nice change mid-album. The lyrics don't miss a beat, maintaining the simplicity and elegance.
“That I’m the one who has got your back, now turn around and don’t be sad
I hope you find the love that’s true, so the morning light can shine on you
I hope you find what you’re looking for, so your heart is warm for ever more”

The albums namesake “Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm” is hands down brilliance. The standard elegance in the guitar mixed with a lyrical line that has an honesty in it. It is all polished off with violins that add an extra dynamic to the melody.
“This is this the start
You got a cold heart
Don't you want to spend more time round here?”

Overall Last Smoke Before The Snow Storm is really a wonderful debut from Benjamin Francis Leftwich, it will be interesting to see where he takes things next.

-Koala

The Single Life - 7 Inches of Fun - Featuring Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Strange Haze, Glitter Wizard, and Dropkick Murphys/The Business

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - “Box of Stones”

“Boxes of Stones” is a really beautiful song, musically and lyrically. Starting out simply with acoustic finger picking and a time keeping drum beat, which then grows with the addition of stringed instruments to create body in the chorus and the songs climax. This makes it come off sounding soulful and sweet.

The lyrics in this song mirror the music in the harmonious lyrics that Leftwich can sing perfectly.

“I am yours
I am free
I am flawed
I am here”

It is a romantic song that has the lyrics and the melody and it has been pulled together by a talented artist.

--Koala

Buy here: Pictures EP

Strange Haze - Let Me Hear the Dropping Pin b/w Test Driver

Formerly known as Whooping Crane, Strange Haze have already graced the Ripple office with their blend of "James Gang power trio mid tempo boogie."  Now expanded to a 4-piece, this tasty slice of vinyl proves that with the name change the boys have only gotten better.  Yep, that big Joe Walsh guitar boogie is still intact with a killer rhythm section keeping pace.   Toss in a hint of tribal rhythms and some head-spinning bass runs and "Let me Hear the Dropping Pin," is a retro-rock freak out of the first order.  Flipside "Test Driver," ups the boogie quotient with a galloping bass line and a chorus that could've been written for KISS.  There's even a nod to another power trio, Mahogany Rush, as Big Sir really lets some psychedelic magic fly from his six-string.

Strange Haze keep the retro rock alive and well without ever dipping too far into the past.  Can't wait to hear what comes next.

Buy here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/strangehaze

Glitter Wizard - Black Lotus b/w Witch's Limbo

Got to hand it to Bill Goodman of The Soda Shop.  Sometimes it takes a guy a couple thousand miles a way to point me in the direction of a killer band right in my own backyard.  Glitter Wizard are just what the name implies, a glittery, psychedelic brand of stoner rock and an image that can only be described as druidic.  Yep, don't know where they're coming from with the middle ages garb.  Obviously a nod to the Wizard part of their title, but if they keep plugging out riff mad retro-rock like this, I could give a whit about their image.  "Black Lotus" is a riff-maniacal, spaced out Sabbath assault of pulverizing heaviness and psych flourishes.  "Witche's Limbo," throws some Purple organ into the brewing concoction of stoner heaviness with a result that has to be tasted to believe.

The vinyl single is sold out, but you can download if for free here:

http://glitterwizard.bandcamp.com/album/black-lotus-witchs-limbo-7

Dropkick Murphys/The Business - Mob Mentality

Having loved the Dropkick Murphys since some eon before I was born (and growing more amazed by each passing day) and having recently fallen under the Oi! street punk spell of The Business, this gleaming platter of licorice pizza is nothing but a treat.  On side two we got The Business blasting out a reved up version of The DM's Streets of Boston (Boston crossed out and replaced with London).   Quite simply, The Business are legends, having formed way back in the real days of London punk, 1979.  And they sound just as strong and vicious as ever.  Then the Dropkick Murphys return the favor, tearing through their take of The Business's song "Informer," and filling that song with as much Oi! spleen and venom as if the song had been their own.

Then the piece de resistance is on Side One, when both bands get together and tear the grooves off the vinyl as they decimate "Mob Mentality."  Two absolutely classic Oi! bands knocking amps and forearms together in this mosh pit of punk.  Brilliant!

Buy here: http://www.taang.com/indexmain.html