The Voluntary Butler Scheme - Granddad Galaxy (Album Review)
Monday, 11 July 2011
Written by Joe Kinnaird
After receiving praise for his debut album At Breakfast, Dinner and Tea, the Voluntary Butler Scheme (Rob Jones) has returned with a second album that offers far greater sonic innovation coupled with the quirky lyricism that characterised his earlier work.
Opener Hiring A Car makes for an enthralling listen with its lullaby-esque melodies reminiscent of Gold Panda sitting alongside jittering percussion. Next follows the hypnotic dream pop of ‘Shake Me By The Shoulders’ with its woozy vocals and hazy guitar licks. Instantly, the departure from the sound of their debut is clear and Jones’ willingness to experiment with his music should be praised.
Further experiments in psychedelic pop prove to be successful. Astro allows Jones’ whimsical yet infectious lyricism to shine; with great lines such as ‘Although astronomers say it’s a long way away/I wanna live my life on the moon’ underpinned by ethereal harp, swirling synths and more woozy background vocals. Elsewhere, the jaunty sounds of Don’t Rely On It, Don’t Count On it’ are contrasted by Jones’ despondent observations that ‘If you’ve ever had a dream come true / I would tell you to not really on it’.
Although most of the album’s experimentation is successful, some aspects lack conviction. The instrumental ‘Umbrella Fight’ is pleasant but uninspiring. Whilst the vocal experimentation in ‘Do The Hand Jive’ soon becomes annoying and the song drifts along aimlessly without any sense of structure or purpose. Similarly, the cut ‘n’ paste nature of Satisfactory Substitute, reminiscent of Mr Scruff and Dj Shadow, suggests an artist having fun with experimenting with electronica yet lacking the ability to reign in his influences into the form of a cohesive song.
On the whole, Granddad Galaxy makes for a fascinating insight into the mind of an artist attempting to defy expectations and experiment with his music. At its best, Granddad Galaxy offers pop gems that are both exciting and intelligent in equal measure. However, at times, the album’s experimental nature hinders its cohesion and certain instrumental tracks lack conviction. Nonetheless, Jones’ talent is clear and his music glows with a charm that it is too strong to deny.
7/10
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Opener Hiring A Car makes for an enthralling listen with its lullaby-esque melodies reminiscent of Gold Panda sitting alongside jittering percussion. Next follows the hypnotic dream pop of ‘Shake Me By The Shoulders’ with its woozy vocals and hazy guitar licks. Instantly, the departure from the sound of their debut is clear and Jones’ willingness to experiment with his music should be praised.
