reviews

single review

folking.com

MICHAEL RANDLE is a veteran of several bands and styles who has now gone solo and built his own studio. ‘Black Eyeliner’ is the first single from his upcoming album, A Time For Stargazers. Michael cites a good many influences and it’s fair to say that this song is more Bruce Springsteen than Nick Drake but it’s something of a grower.

review

album review

by steve pearce

The album opens with In Between the Lightning Strikes, a beautifully composed gentle introduction, a smattering of strings to help it along. Black Eyeliner cranks it up a notch, possibly the standout track in terms of production. A relentless Lo-Fi groove in the background chugs the track along with some catchy lyrics to boot. A nod towards The Trffids (Trick of the Light etc) certainly in terms of vocal and feel. with a bluesy solo in the middle. Dragonflies ouses strings and picked guitar strings to give the arrangement a gentle  and drift away feel, just lovely. Sugar + Sand is a short folk song paying homage to a Nick Drake style vocal.  Yesterday Man, the longest track on the album is multi layered in production and composition and has a dark feel that for me lowered the mood for slightly too long. Man in the Sky, picks you back up and in a reflective mood carries you back to the album's theme. Blackhorses, draws on country influences and style, the lazy lay back style that fits so well with the mood of the album. Little Farm in the Country gives you the autobiographical highlight of the album, behind guitar and luscious strings. Dust is another standout track, a song Matt Johnson would be proud to write and not out of place on the next The The album. A Time for Stargazers is all beautiful guitars and imagery pulling the album's themes together one final time. Book of Love is the perfect finale in a wondrous lo fi style, a real surprise and hidden gem. A great album with mixes of folk, country and blues influences all written with a backdrop of days past and mystical whimsy.