Swan Chorus - You’re Despicable
PV006
Finally, coming Three years on from Achilles And The Difference Machine album , Comes this spiffing new album from Liverpool's finest Prog Sons,
14 either new or re-imagined songs from their earlier years as Here's Johnny, Only this time around their fabulous vocalist John Wilkinson was unavailable to other commitments with both Ellesmere and also with his first solo album Imposter Syndrome. Also somewhat out of the picture is bassist David K Jones who was also involved in other projects, Namely Random Option project, Leaving just David Knowles !(keyboards) and Colin Mckay vocals and other instruments,
Whilst this is on the face of it a mere shadow of their previous release, in reality it is actually equally as strong and the vocals are similar sounding which in tandem with the often excellent material makes this a consistent strong and rewarding listening experience.
The album begins with The Upside Of Down, Opening gently before a powerful synth bass line appears and orchestrated layers of keyboards are introduced, this is a very modern sounding track with great instrumentation, the song is about the death of privacy and the nightmare of liiving on the Internet.
This is followed by the upbeat Got Religion, which takes a satirical swipe at Televangelists and how they monetize their “faith” shamelessy the song is really good and has lots to commend it.
Next is Estus Pirkle Night, Estus Perkle was a southern baptist mister who also made Christian films like If Footman Tire you, What Will Horses Do, this was a Horror film that depicts an America as a totalitarian communist country, the only answer to which is to embrace Evangelical Christianity and Christian Nationalism.
The song is very interesting even if the subject matter is a little offbeat.and surprisingly more realistic now in 2025 fascist America.
It’s Not The End Of The World is about teenage angst, this song is very interesting especially in the opening verse,, which has a treated vocal sound after an Initial synth sound opening part, this is taken at brisk pace which adds to the ovèall effect the lyrics are really great capturing many teenage angst and insecurities most realistically.
One of my favourites thus far, there is also a good guitar break in this track.
This is followed by the fabulous Space Force which is more satire directed at Donald Trump and the lunatics that surround him usually billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bozos.et al.
The words are sarcastic but are to the point showing the stupidity that surrounds this president nowadays.
Little Fools is about how the uk has isolated itself at the behest of Oligarchs, Racists and Bond Traders and how this action harm us as a nation.
This is an amusing political song aimed at those who are he’ll bent in pushing division for their own ends and agenda.
You’ll Never Get To Boston follows, This is about paying the price for attempted fame, not making it and losing it all in the process, a sad track told with sincerity but not regret.
As with all the songs on this album the sounds used in the tracks are excellent, imaginative and creative, As are the use of female backing singers who add something to these tracks, Which along with the complimentary production that makes this a great sounding album of songs.
World In Action follows is about keeping up with what is happening in current affairs, and how we no longer get our newsroom reliable sources instead it comes from someone who lives in his basement espousing hiss views over the Internet for all to be sucked into his off kilter world view.
Watching is next again this is about we have all been deceived by the ultra rich and their agenda, in this case a band who are misled, misinformed and poorly treated as a result.
Based on personal experiences possibly.
The Dragon Who Swalowed The Sun is next, this is about Bipolar Disorder and extreme mood swings and how they affect creativity.again based on personal experiences members have experienced, again the words and music gel well together to make a memorable track
The Devil In ABQ is next and this has an interesting guitar part all very Duane Eddy like in parts, this puts the plot of Better Call Saul into a 5 minute stevie wonder funk piece, With Swan Chorus you need Google to enlighten you about the songs lyrical content as they have a bearing on the songs themes and meanings.
Open Minded is a track designed to pay homage to Peter Gabriel’s early solo albums especially with the production values applied to the track.
Blame On You is the penultimate track this is a very jolly little track,despite its somewhat bleak lyrics, great music with lots of synths and strong guitar lines being used.
Final track is What The Butler Saw which is about somewhat makes it their business to know what’s going on around them, by actively watching, hinged (snooping) listening and watching closely.
The album is mist definitely a grower, it’s strong are certainly catchy and not having a full band co aliment does not unduly affect the quality of the album in any way in my opinion, This is an album The Swan Chorus have every right to be very proud of, certainly one of my favourites of the year so far, really recommend this one to all.
Info here: www.theswanchorus.bandcamp.com/