- The Coal Porters: EP
Roulette (Prima, SID008)
- At the time of writing I have yet to see or hear
this new release but needs must when there's a
fanzine to put out and it never seems to stop the
music press so, armed with a track listing,
memories of live renditions and some detail from
Mr Griffin himself here goes!
-
- This mini-album represents the first new band
material since 1995's Los London album,
contributions to compilations excluded. The
tracks divide themselves nicely into three pairs,
each pair representing something slightly
different.
-
- First up are the two new tracks, both of which
act as previews for the forthcoming Western
Electric full length album where they will
reappear in different versions. Everything is in
the vein of Me.Here At Your Door, an electrified
piece of rock/pop with a gorgeous keyboard part
and a catchy refrain. Credited jointly to Sid and
Pat, the lyric includes what could be the two
committing themselves to a life of pursuing their
love of music, "The day that I give up my
dream/Is the day that I lose everything".
This is without doubt a classic Coal Porters'
song and will prove very popular at the band's
upcoming gigs both in the UK and abroad. Next up
is Emily In Ginger, the newest song on the EP and
a beautifully poised track with a Byrds feel to
it. The backing vocals give it an ethereal feel
and despite the Byrds reference this is a most
atypical Coal Porters song but delightful
nonetheless. These two opening tracks must help
to encourage sales of the band's autumn release,
as they are in my humble opinion two of the best
songs the band have ever produced.
-
- The middle pairing come in the form of cover
versions from two extreme sources. First up is
the John Fogerty song Who'll Stop The Rain. This
has actually appeared before on the Finnish John
Fogerty tribute compilation album, but unless you
have a specialist Finnish CD import shop in your
high street, it is to a great extent a previously
unavailable, unreleased track. Stripped down, the
song features Sid, Pat and Bob, but it's a strong
version and its' appearance here may well
encourage the band to play it live more often
which will be a real treat. The second cover is
Don't Fence Me In, from the pen of the band's
namesake Cole Porter, which I guess is in lieu of
a bad pun on this record. It's a fine tune, and
very lively with the band sounding like they're
having fun whenever I've heard it. It too should
go down well on tour if played.
-
- Finally, two songs which cast a backward looking
eye to the last album. Help Me, here remastered ,
with its' Neil Young aspirations is superb and a
monumental piece, a great live opener and the
perfect example of how the band can really lay it
on heavy when they want to. Los London is also
represented by a live version of Me.Here At Your
Door, taken from a BBC Radio Scotland session.
This is more jangly than Help Me and perhaps more
likely to appeal to the casual listener,
unfamiliar with the band's previous work. The
'lost' single from the last album, this is
brilliant stuff, always a personal favourite, and
with the aforementioned track points people to
The Coal Porters' back catalogue.
-
- Whilst this release is clearly not the full
length album that was originally promised, it can
only whet the appetite even more for that
release. EP Roulette acts like a record company
promo by saying "Look, this is what you can
look forward to in the autumn, and why not check
out the band's last album Los London whilst
you're waiting". Whilst most Coal Porters'
fans will doubtless own at least a third of th is
already, albeit in different versions, this is
The Coal Porters at their very best. At a wallet
loving mid-price as well, I can find absolutely
no fault whatsoever with this release. Biased?
Sure. Wrong? No way. Roll on September.
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