Cancel The Sun
Thirty Tigers, 2019
9/10
Comprised of the duo of Kami Thompson and James Walbourne, The Rails are back with a 3rd album that’s a more rugged and muscular version of their tuneful, glorious songwriting.
“Call Me When It All Goes Wrong” starts the album with warm, harmonic indie-rock and dual gender vocals that take nods to ‘90s guitar work, and “Mossy Well” follows with a calmer, rich atmosphere of heartfelt Americana and folk ideas.
Elsewhere, “Dictator” offers calm balladry with minimal instrumentation that tips it hat to the ‘60s, while “Ball And Chain” strums with a rock’n’roll spirit that points towards Walbourne’s time in Son Volt. The album highlight resides here, as “Waiting On Something” firmly illustrates the chemistry present in the married couple with a rich, eclectic formula.
At the end, “Leave Here Alone” displays timeless, sparse beauty, and the title track concludes the listen with a powerful yet bare appeal in the acoustic waltz.
With a sound that is very much rooted in their Brit-pop heritage, The Rails also keep the folk-rock influence of their earlier years intact, making for a diverse, charming and extremely memorable listen. While no one would want Walbourne to quit his day job playing for The Pretenders, if it means more music from The Rails, I doubt anyone would complain.
Travels well with: Radiohead- The Bends; The Cranberries- No Need To Argue