The Passing Fancy - Talking Sense Blues (Geek Pie Records)

The Passing Fancy

Talking Sense Blues (Geek Pie Records)

A harsh lyrical message need not be watered down with foot stomping, and there is a snottiness surrounding this genre of upbeat folk music, making people dismissive of it. But ‘Talking Sense Blues’ does actually push through the stern determination. It’s enticing, and the impression is lasting. The jolly vocals are impressive and the tone somewhat contagious, promoting an urge to tell everybody you know how you truly feel about them, and tell them now, just in-case life robs you of the opportunity. Honesty laces the song, and this is not disguised but enhanced. You cannot sit still when listening to this. I challenge you. 

There is simplicity in the second song ‘Suburban Lovesick Blues’ that is like a little trickle of charm. Is there anything simpler than a statement of apology, ‘I never meant to hurt you so’? Or a proclamation, ‘I think I’m still in love with you’? There’s poignancy in this song, created not only by the lyrics but largely by the harmonica. But it’s not wet, which perhaps is down to the masculine vocal. This record will elicit sighs of nostalgia all over the show.

A diminishing love and acoustic guitar will always result in something a little bit magic, and these guys caught it like a cocky frat boy catches a baseball. 

www.myspace.com/thepassingfancy 

Anna Falconer