There’s been a lot of discussion in the last couple of months about which Britpop legend has made the best album in 2017, Liam Gallagher or Noel Gallagher. But what everyone seems to be missing from the question is the inclusion of Shed Seven.
Shed Seven actually reformed ten years ago in 2007 having broken up in 2003, however 2017 saw the release of their first album since 2001’s ‘Truth Be Told’ in the form of ‘Instant Pleasures’.
The immediately enjoyable single ‘Room In My House’ and the vibrant bright red album cover marked the album launch campaign, with probably one of the most visually striking covers of the year.
Shed Seven have toured many a time in the last ten years and played to big crowds at festivals so it was little surprise to find they still had an audience to release an album to after a 16 year gap. But what was more of a surprise was the sheer size of the audience.
A Number 8 chart placing in the UK Charts and a Number 6 in Scotland helped illustrate just how big the band still are. This was followed up by a massive UK Tour which had largely sold out months in advance, including some cities like Glasgow where the band were playing more than one night. To top it all off the band recently announced a huge show headlining the Castlefield Bowl in Manchester next summer back by one of my favourite bands Reverend & The Makers and The Twang, the biggest in the band’s history! Not bad for a band who had, in the eyes of some, been away for so long.
So now we’ve established there’s still an audience for the band, let’s take a look at the actual album they released. The 12 track, 51 minute album kicks off with the single ‘Room In My House’, which builds up with a chant of ‘whoa oh oh oh oh oh’ until Rick Witter comes in with a trademark vocal to really kick off the album. A very strong, gripping opening track really setting the tone for the album. ‘Nothing To Live Down’ picks up the tempo even further in the form of a song you just know is going to be a live favourite in the style of the classic ‘Bully Boy’.
‘It’s Not Easy’ is up next and is arguably even better than the first two songs. When Rick builds up to the crescendo of ‘You knock me for six with your spellbinding tricks, that’s how you get your kicks, It’s not easy’ you just know this is a band back on top form. ‘Said I’m Sorry’ keeps up the quality with a message we’ve all said many times before the spiky ‘Victoria’ rides in. On first listen of the album this song gripped me right away, a properly exciting, entertaining tune.
But the masterpiece of the album is up next, ‘Better Days’. One of the best songs of 2017 and one of the best ever Shed Seven songs. It’s an absolute anthem and the 2017 tour has proved that fans are already placing it alongside the iconic ‘Chasing Rainbows’. Seriously if you like Shed Seven (or similar bands) and haven’t heard this song, you’re missing out.
The double-punch of energetic rockers ‘Enemies & Friends’ and ‘Star Crossed Lovers’ are up next, keeping the standard up. A gospel backing floating along nicely along with some brass on the large-scale ballad ‘Hang On’ which picks up where ‘Better Days’ left off. The bridge from 3 and a half minutes in this song proves to be one of the musical highlights of the album before one more triumphant chorus saunters in. The immediately striking ‘Butterfly On The Wheel’, taking us back to Alexander Pope’s 1735 quote “Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?” Not the first time this quote has been reference by Britpop legends!
The penultimate track ‘People Will Talk’ is possibly the poppiest song on the record with an easy to sing a long chorus. The song is undoubtedly good fun, with great use of instrumental backing to supplement vocals at the end of lines during the verses. While this is not necessarily one of the strongest tracks on the album the one that proceeds it is. Closer ‘Invincible’ is probably my second favourite song on the album with a classic Shed Seven sound. Musically the song is quite chilled, with a stylish guitar line backing a chanted vocal by Witter. I think this is my favourite ever closing track from a Shed Seven album.
This caps off a very strong comeback album for Shed Seven, one has has proved to be one of the best albums of 2017. ‘Instant Pleasures’ contains some excellent songs which will go down very welcome in next summer’s massive Castlefield Bowl show.
I haven’t touched upon the second disc of the Deluxe Edition of the album, but I would urge fans of the band to pick up this version rather than the Standard Edition. There are four very good songs on here plus three demos, including a beautiful version of ‘Better Days’ which is worth it alone, and finally three remixes. 10 songs for a second disc is well worth spending a few extra pounds!
Mumblings And Ramblings 