Billy Vincent are clearly not a band to do things by halves. Despite its fairly ordinary folk rock/country aesthetics, 'She' is a rather overwhelming blast of heart over pretty much anything else. Billy Vincent want to be believed and, to give them their dues, much of the time they do come across as pretty sincere.
Opener 'Dead Mans Shoes' gets the Americana vibes going early on. Although musically this band could be straight out of Nashville, there is an unmistakable murky grit that betrays their London roots. Without such a backbone many of the songs on 'She' would be rather limp, the result of well-trodden ground being done to death but, like all good songwriters, the duo of Billy Barratt and David Vincent, know just when to give things a bit more of a push. That is not to say that this is universally convincing. 'Where Jemima Goes' is a bit fey band closer 'The Ballad of Billy Vincent' unfortunately overstays its welcome.
Overall though this is a very solid effort from Billy Vincent. 'Feathers' and '4, 5, 6' make up a fine core for an album that is eminently listenable if not revolutionary in its aims or results. By aiming for the heart as they have, Billy Vincent will have won over a fair amount of listeners. 'She' is by turns charming and rousing its probably time to start learning the words.
'She' is out now via Something Nothing.
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Opener 'Dead Mans Shoes' gets the Americana vibes going early on. Although musically this band could be straight out of Nashville, there is an unmistakable murky grit that betrays their London roots. Without such a backbone many of the songs on 'She' would be rather limp, the result of well-trodden ground being done to death but, like all good songwriters, the duo of Billy Barratt and David Vincent, know just when to give things a bit more of a push. That is not to say that this is universally convincing. 'Where Jemima Goes' is a bit fey band closer 'The Ballad of Billy Vincent' unfortunately overstays its welcome.
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