For the third time in four years, Villagers (essentially Irishman Connor O’Brien) have released an early January album…
This, the fourth Villagers album, takes songs from the previous three along with ‘Memoir’, a song O’Brien wrote for Charlotte Gainsbourg, and ‘Wichita Lineman’, the Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell standard, sometimes performed live by Villagers. The album, recorded live in one day at RAK Studios in London, is an odd concept, as the bulk of these songs were released for the first time one year ago on Villagers third album ‘Darling Arithmetic’. But why revisit them so soon? Do they differ much from the originals? Is the whole exercise really worth it?
‘Set The Tigers Free’ opens things up. It’s a soft and soulful song about moving on. The warm organic music is occasionally underpinned by a spatial synth vibe, a favourite of Villagers. The original (from the debut album ‘Becoming a Jackal’) had more urgency, more regret, and more character. For this reason, it’s New Version 0 – Original Version 1.
‘Everything I Am Is Yours’ was first on last years ‘Darling Arithmetic’ and is faithfully reproduced here. It’s a song of devotion written during a love affair, saying in song what the writer feels he is not articulate enough to say in person. The message is conveyed very effectively here. However, this is virtually a carbon copy of the original, which is a much more complete realisation. New Version 0 – Original Version 2.
Next is ‘My Lighthouse’ from 2013’s second album ‘{Awayland}‘. Again a soft, soulful, almost hymnal approach here. For the first time in this album, the new version exhibits more urgency, while the original conveys the plea for guidance more eloquently. However, the new version does feel more complete, so it’s the first win for ‘Where Have You Been All My Life‘. New Version – 1 Old Version 2.
‘Courage’ is from last year’s release. The message is similar to ‘Everything I Am…’ though while O’Brien ends up in love, it takes him time to get there. This may have had something to do with the realisation of his sexuality, but whatever your persuasion, it’s a song that anyone can relate to; taking your time to eventually arrive in a good place. Again, the approach is very similar to the original and the pace is almost the same. It’s beautifully crafted but I fail to really see the point in it, as the original was nigh on perfect. New Version 1 – Original Version 3.
‘That Day’ harks back to the debut album for the final time here. Lyrically there are no new themes here – it’s a ‘will they, won’t they’ scenario. There’s nothing to criticise about the music; it really does sound lovely, but the aching is more apparent on the original – the message is less diluted, more heartfelt, and more dramatic. The difference between the two versions is so stark, there can only be one winner. It is in fact so huge, this version is virtually an own goal. New Version – 1 Original Version 4.
Back to last year’s album for ‘The Soul Serene’. A kind, wistful song, built around a classically plucked guitar and yearning 60’s bass line. Perhaps a bit vaguer in meaning than the other songs, with lyrics such as ‘I’ve got no reason to figure out what it means / And I find, chameleon dreams, in my mind’. Again though, the original was purer in its vision, the elements of the song more focused and realised. Once again I’m afraid it’s New Version 1 – Original Version 5.
‘Memoir’ was written for Charlotte Gainsbourg, and this track is the most official version for a Villagers recording of what is a fine song. Regret is the order of the day once more, as the protagonist gives themselves to a series of partners whilst actually mourning for the love they’ve lost. O’Brien’s voice conveys this more believably than Gainsbourg’s (they are his words after all, and he is well practised). The pace is pretty similar to the original, which has a beauty that, if truth be told, is hard to match. However, it is the one true worthy addition to Villagers songbook on this album, so it’s New Version 2 – Original Version 5.
It’s then back to last year’s album with ‘Hot Scary Summer’ a straightforward telling of a love that O’Brien experienced and what the couple went through during, such as fending off the local homophobes whilst ‘kissing on the cobblestones‘. It was a great song a year ago, and it still is now. The synth in the background poses questions but this rendition is very faithful to the original, which again strikes the heartstrings just a little truer. The synths on the new version replace a more soulful organ on the original. There’s really very little between the two recordings, but for me, the new version’s not up to scratch. New Version 2 – Original Version 6.
Next is ‘The Waves’ from Villagers second LP ‘{Awayland}‘ and it’s definitely the most reworked track here. It’s a more typical Villagers arrangement on the new version; folky and retro, salty and soulful and stretched by two more minutes as well, making it in essence – more epic. The originals synthpop approach didn’t give the song as much emotion as it deserved, though it’s still a classic. Its some tribute then that the new version is the clearest winner here, taking the song to new places and owning it fully. New Version 3 – Original Version 6.
Then for the next two tracks we’re back to last year’s album, firstly with its title track ‘Darling Arithmetic’. Delicate guitars and keys decorate a song of lament as O’Brien again refers to a lost love as mortal bereavement. Again, it was perhaps rerecorded too soon to add a new dimension to the original, and it’s the original that has the truer feeling. New Version 3 – Original Version 7.
‘So Naïve’ finishes the revisit to the previous album, though adding a further minute to the original. The song carries the sentiment that whatever happens, we’re all just part of something bigger, saying ‘I’m so naïve, but I guess I’ve got it figured out‘. It has a classic British folk blues feel, however, so did the original. So why the revisit so soon? The original again houses the better vocal and a more emotive backing too. New Version 3 – Original Version 8.
The album then finishes with a take on the classic ‘Wichita Lineman’. Many have recorded this song, and none will ever do it the service that Glen Campbell did. However, Villagers version is still rather splendid and it’s the first time they have recorded it (though they have played it live), therefore by default its New Version 4 – Original Version 8.
Ultimately, I am left wondering why. The two songs from ‘Becoming A Jackal’ simply don’t come close to the originals. The two from ‘{Awayland}‘ actually offer better versions, suggesting ‘{Awayland}’ was a disappointment (it wasn’t, but the versions here are great). The six from last years ‘Darling Arithmetic’ are simply too close to what they were a year ago. Did two thirds of an album that’s barely a year old really need revisiting so soon? And the two oddities are a welcome addition to Villagers oeuvre. If this becomes the only Villagers album you ever own, you’ll love it – you can’t fault the music. But I’m afraid to say I fail to understand the idea.
6/10
Author – Ian, Romford store
