Dublin group Villagers are one of those bands that are occasionally a real band and sometimes just main-man Conor O’Brien. Their 3rd album ‘Darling Arithmetic’ is strictly in the main-man only mode, written, performed and recorded by O’Brien in his own home with virtually no assistance.
If you expected an introspective, stripped back and intimate offering, you’d be right and it’s nine sweet tracks certainly deliver. The theme is love but also the conquering of self doubt and sticking two fingers up to small minded homophobes too.
In many ways this is proper folk rock confessional, “it took a little time to be me” sings O’Brien in opener ‘Courage‘ before leading into ‘Everything I Am Is Yours’. ‘Hot Scary Summer’ tells the story of his own summer of love, laced with heat, passion, fear and devotion – for me this melodious track is an absolute album highlight. Another follows in ‘The Soul Serene’, which showcases some of O’Brien’s classic 60’s influences like Bob Dylan – it’s beautiful, delicate and compelling.
Villagers ‘Darling Arithmetic’ was released on Domino Records, April 2015.
The fact that these tracks were meant to serve as demos before evolving into an album never seems relevant, in fact it’s refreshing to hear an album that cares not for bombast and over production, especially in an age where the two are often good disguises for bad songwriting.
‘Darling Arithmetic’ has its darker moments too, the title track bringing a funereal sadness to proceedings as love turns sour and dies, ‘Little Bigot’ then directs the blame for the breakdown. Its repetitive refrain works well like much of this mellow and singular album by being perfectly timed and never outstaying its welcome. The album feels like it’s over before it’s even started as ‘So Naive’ closes offering redemption and a way back to love and happiness.
This is a short, singular paced album, simple yet intricate, sweet but bitter. It’s Villagers’ third album and like the preceding two lives within its own identity and character. It’s a modern and nostalgic masterpiece that deserves your inspection. There’s also some wonderful versions and session recordings out there thanks to very generous promotion, check out their YouTube page.
Author: Ian, Romford store
