ALBUM REVIEW - THE SHIRES - BONFIRE
Today (Friday 3rd July) British country duo, The Shires made up of singer-songwriters, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes have released their brand new album, Bonfire which is made up of 12 tracks.
Opening up the new era of The Shires' music and album is Bonfire Song which is an upbeat song which I personally feel opens up this album up brilliantly. There is something beautifully about Ben's opening vocals that made me want to get up and dance, whilst also reminding me why I enjoy The Shires' music so much. Crissie and Ben's harmonies within the chorus are beautifully soulful, setting up the second verse wonderfully for Crissie with Ben's harmonies continuing.
Getaway Car is a brilliantly written song and a great first release of their new album. Crissie and Ben's tones together especially in the first verse, along with their harmonies are beautiful giving a real raw feel. The chorus is filled with many catchy lyrics that honestly made me want to instantly sing along - the way that Ben and Crissie know each other harmonies and tones so well takes the song to another level as it progresses something I love to hear between The Shires' music. The lyrics are very cleverly written throughout allowing for a natural progression.
Magnetised instrumental is fantastic and allows for Ben's vocals during the opening verse to stand out whilst reminding that little softer getting the listeners on a ride of a romantic rollercoaster, that is honestly so beautiful to hear - its a feeling many of us want to experience, but one that sadly not many of us will. The second verse featuring Crissie' soft tones were beautifully especially with Ben's harmonies joining, which for me took the song to a new level. Magnetised is also one of those feel-good songs.
House of Cards is a more soulful softer ballad sounding song that sees Crissie's opening with her crisp vocal that instantly got me on the journey with a lot of vulnerability within her voice, and the lyrics that at times bought tears to my eyes. the chorus into very verse is emotional, but it's the harmonies in the second verse that brings another level of vulnerability and honesty.
Slow Dance is a softer sounding song that once again sees Crissie on the opening vocals that gives us listeners an emotional feel that upon hearing the lyrics made me want to cry a little as the lyrics are heartfelt based on experience of the early days of a relationship. However, for me its the chorus that is the most upbeat as it allows for the moments of calm, and having a little dance before things get serious as the next move is thought about whatever that could be for you both - all the metaphors are brilliant as well throughout.
Ben's opening Blink with his crisp tones is great as its the little details that make this song wonderfully because it's those attentions to detail that people really enjoy listening too (or is that just me?) The chorus features some of the most heartfelt lyrics of the whole album as it's about those times when you want to take it all in, and not miss a second which is understandable - it's these little things that mean the most. Crissie's softer vocals on the second verse adds vulnerability as she talks more about these little moments you may miss if you, blink! Realising that time doesn't stop is the saddest.
Photo Credit: Bethan Miller
Watching You, Watching Me opens with Crissie crisp tones allowing for the emotional side to come through as you can hear the wonderful sense of togetherness that made me smile with the second verse being the softer side with Ben's vocal tones. The chorus is super catchy, and one that instantly made me get up and start dancing as you can hear the fun side of their music returning, reminding me of the early Shires days. Can't wait to hear this song live in the November at their hometown show.
Hypocrite begins with Crissie's crisp tones with many different feeling being shared from relationships that began as friendships. The hint of sassiness is an interesting move, however the more the song progresses the more I loved it, however, the crisp tones, and upbeat chorus are brilliant moves making the lyrics ones that roll of your tongue making them fun. The second verse sees Ben talk about the next chapter moving quick, but leads into the chorus fantastically.
Beginning with a softer instrumental from Ben, One For The Whiskey sees the lyrics shine from the very beginning thanks to Crissie and Ben's ability to support one another with the chorus sounding soulful. One For The Whiskey takes on a story of its own with Ben taking on the lead vocals throughout as the different tones demonstrate Ben's versatility. The moment Crissie comes in for the final verse and chorus adding something rather special to the dynamic of the song.
Filled with some catchy upbeat lyrics Come Back Around ... is filled with a lot of memories, whilst waiting for those special people to appear in our lives or even if we are lucky to have return into our lives with many more precious moments to come back around even after disappearing/ moving on - life works in mysterious ways! The chorus is one that made me a times want to get up and dance, before Crissie's soft tones come in on the second verse with powerful harmonies from Ben and Crissie within the bridge finale.
With a piano instrumental Sing You Back opens with Crissie's crisp tone with some heartfelt lyrics being shared that are powerful at times showing us listeners how carefully crafted the lyrics are. Ben opens the second verse adding another layer, whilst their harmonies on the chorus into final verse are perfectly timed in my opinion alongside their passion allowing for us listeners to hear how passionate they are about making music together.
A Good Life is one beautiful song the bird song at the beginning is beautiful the layering with Crissie' vocal what a brilliant move. The lyrics within the first verse sung by Crissie are ones of us dreamers which is rather special with Ben's harmonies. The harmonies from both Crissie and Ben are stunning, and remind me of living in a place where everybody knows everybody, but when you find that special person it's everything - its the simple things that make 'a good life'! The story building as the second verse hit is the most powerful hearing so many of the older Shires feels, whilst always growing.
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