Ian M Bailey - You Paint The Pictures

Released: 28 Oct 2022
Label: Kool Kat

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Ian M Bailey is back with a new album, of Byrds-inspired guitar pop. Again it is co-written by Daniel Wylie (of Cosmic Rough Riders). 

It opens with 'Paint The Pictures', which is wonderfully uplifting and Summery. It has a big anthemic chorus and like many of the songs here, is instantly memorable.

My favourite here is 'I Wanted The Sun To Shine' which is a sweet love song, bringing to mind R.E.M. The lyrics are melancholic and thought-provoking. - "This World is a mystery, like a sound in a Cemetery. Like a wheel that turns this life, but no-one really dares."  

Other highlights include 'I Don't Want To Start Again', which is more jangle of the highest standard and brought to mind later Teenage Fanclub. 'Hey Little Girl' is beautifully melodic, with orchestral production adding to the emotional impact. 'Lover's Song' is reminiscent of Neil Young, with hints of Americana. 

 

A lovely Album, with Summery vibes, even on these cold Autumn days. Highly recommended.

Colours Through The Air Best of 2021 Albums and Songs

It was so hard to choose but here is the Colours Through The Air 'Best Of' post. My favourite albums and songs of 2021. With the songs, it is one song from each artist.

I have chosen RW Hedges for best album and song. A lovely album which although is short, all the songs are beautifully crafted. Just heartfelt, memorable songs which is what it should be about really. Read the full review here 

I felt these albums were the strongest overall and had the most impact on me. You can find the reviews for all the albums (apart from Ghost Dance Collective and Reigning Sound which were late discoveries) on this blog.  

Albums

1. RW Hedges - Year After Year 

2. Daniel Wylie's Cosmic Rough Riders - Atoms and Energy

3. Sandra's Wedding - Pleasure Grounds

4. Jim McCulloch - When I Mean What I Say 

5. Sky Diving Penguins - Sky Diving Penguins

6. Reigning Sound - A Little More Time With Reigning Sound

7. Rural France - RF 

8. Sister John - I Am By Day

9. Kevin Robertson - Sundown's End 

10. Ghost Dance Collective - Dream Yourself Into The Real World

Songs

1. RW Hedges - Travelling Road 

2. Sky Diving Penguins - Run Boy 

3. The Pierce Kingans - To Lose 

4. Reigning Sound - You Don't Know What You're Missing

5. Sandra's Wedding - Lovin' Life

6. Jim McCulloch - Come Little Waves of Light 

7. Sister John - In My Place 

8. The Sadies - Stop and Start

9. The Laughing Chimes - Try To Change My Mind

10. The Shop Window - Out of Reach

All in all, it has been a good year and I have found so much great music from doing this blog. Thanks so much to everyone who has shown an interest/sent music to me.

Daniel Wylie's Cosmic Rough Riders - Atoms and Energy

Released: 2 Jul 2021/Pre-order now
Label: Last Night From Glasgow

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Daniel Wylie, of Cosmic Rough Riders, returns with a new album. I have been aware of his music since discovering the 'Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine' compilation years ago. It was as melodic and summery as the title suggested and filled with superb guitar pop songs.   

The new album is not quite as jangle poppy but has more Americana vibes too. It opens with 'The Bruises and the Blood' which is a dark song about domestic violence. It is heartbreaking and addresses the dilemma of someone listening in and unsure whether to intervene. The sound is reminiscent of R.E.M.

'Heavens Waiting Room' is a deep and wistful song, looking back on life and coming to terms with death. The guitar sound brought to mind Waterpistol era Shack, which can only be a good thing.

My favourite here is the gorgeous love song 'Our Love Will Never Die' which has vibes of Neil Young. It is wonderfully heartfelt, without being overly sentimental.

Other highlights include 'Ruth The Truth', a bittersweet country pop song with some great storytelling. 'Listen to the Sound of the Rain' is another favourite here. It is very atmospheric with 70s Americana vibes. 

It ends on 'Saddle Up The Horses', a Western themed song, with vivid lyrics, reminiscing of childhood. Again, it is beautifully atmospheric and a joy to listen to.

A wonderful album from a superb, yet relatively unheard, Songwriter. Highly recommended.

Ian M Bailey - Shots of Sun EP

Released: 25 Jan 2021
Label: Greentea Productions
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I was first aware of Ian M Bailey through his band The Lost Doves. Their album from last year is lovely guitar pop with hints of Americana. I especially love 'She's Waking Up To Close Her Eyes' on the album, which is highly worth checking out too.

This is Ian's first solo EP and it still has melodic country vibes. This time, it was co-written by Daniel Wylie, better known as the singer of Scottish band - Cosmic Rough Riders. If you don't know them, Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine is a good starting point, full of lost guitar pop gems. They did have some success in the early 00s including an appearance on Top Of The Pops.

The EP opens with 'Take It Or Leave It' which is rich in harmonies and superb pop hooks. The sound is reminiscent of the 60s, particularly The Byrds, with hints of the more Americana style of Buffalo Springfield. 

'Whats Happening Now' is more laid back and melancholic. The production is very stripped back and focused on the vocal harmonies. 'Slow Down River' is more upbeat and again very Byrds inspired but if you love that kind of music, as I do, it is hugely enjoyable.

It ends on the sublime 'Everything Will Be Alright', which has beautifully subtle melodies and soft vocals. It brought to mind later Teenage Fanclub (particularly Gerard Love's songs). A wonderful EP which couldn't be more up my street! A highly recommended listen.