Liam Frost: We Aint Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain
Released: Out Now!!!
Label: Emperor Records
Liam (with an italicised m indeed) Frost is already building an impressive reputation and an ever expanding fan base. Luminaries he has graced the stage with include Ray Davis & Badly Drawn Boy.
Having spread his musicality to every corner of the Manchester municipality he is now looking for the next step. Whether We Aint Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain can provide that platform remains to be seen. If you’ve heard / seen / followed Liam already then chances are that these ten new tracks will sit easily with you. For the uninitiated he’s more Jack Penate than David Gray.
This is an album of contrasts. The words sing of lamentation and loss, but are set against a primarily upbeat soundtrack which is at the same time smooth and jazzy; tinkling pianos and soft guitars, providing a melodious backdrop that lets the voice do the talking.
But when the voice is spewing forth lines such as this one from 'Younger Boys, Older Girls': “I’ve seen my fair share of devils and doubt; if I could just find a break then I’m in with a shout / I can never put right all the bad things I’ve done, or kill the ghost I’ve become.” the album takes on a much darker feel. And from 'Two Hearts' comes the similarly foreboding line “There’s a shark here among us. The water runs thick with our blood.”
"Good fortune it seemed was always overdue, we wound up back in that old council house on Skylark Avenue" in the midst of party conference season that’s a social commentary to make New Labour blush; unfortunately it’s delivered in the voice of a Tory and somewhere along, the line loses the meaning and the message. Liam just doesn’t possess the guttural Northerness of a Ricky Wilson or Alex Turner. The song, 'Skylark Avenue', is yet another reflection on the loss of his brother; lamentation, loss and angst are constant themes in Frost’s work.
Track four, 'Two Hearts', is the bounciest and punchiest track on the album with synthesiser and organ providing that unique ‘tinkle’. From this, the musical high point of the album, we plumb the darkest depths with the next song 'Sparks' which is much slower, starting with a haunting drum drone before the chords of the piano take over. "Those kisses taste of sharp disgust. And they keep on pulling at your gut", fine imagery indeed.
'Shipwrecks', 'Handshakes' and 'Leading Lights and Luminaries' carry us through, before 'Orchestra of Love' brings the album to its finale, going full circle back to the bouncy roots of opening track 'Held Tightly In Your Fist', backed up by reverberating “oh, oh, ohs” and the percussion of clicky fingers.
Happily the album ends on a positive note despite the overarching themes of darkness
If Liam is looking for mass-market exposure then this album does not possess the hit quality required (there aint a James Blunt-esque single in sight); however if he’s happy to just keep making music and remain under the radar then I’m sure his fine legion of fans will remain sated. A quick scour of the internet shows many of them already are. All in all this is a very rounded collection of songs from the talented Mr Frost.
Words: Patrick Dennehy
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