Velma Grove - Older (03/07/2013)
Older is the debut album from Velma Grove, an intricate album that reflects melodically and maturely on life.
While initially a solo moniker for Maxwell Roberts, in less than a year Velma Grove have flourished into a seven-piece troupe, playing sold out shows and winning over new fans with their infectious and charismatic folk offerings.
Recorded during early 2013, the quality of musicianship captured throughout Older is simply impeccable. It’s truly wonderful for the listener to not only hear the confidence of the band in music, but to feel it as well.
From the unexpected, yet delightfully added horn section of opening number Caroline, to the richly stunning harmonies that are laced within the instrumentals of Paper House, the members of Velma Grove have seldom put a foot, or chord, wrong.
A fuzzed electric guitar jam in the title track Older stands out unexpectedly amongst the album as a whole, while several instrumental interludes help to bridge the release together and give a sense of seamless clarity.
It's a welcome relief to say that there is no filler on Older. Each song has its place within the record, when all is said and done, it’s the touching track Song For Don that eases the album towards its somber conclusion, where a lone harmonica forms a bookend with Wood, fading out like a hitchhiker walking into the horizon.
Velma Grove’s members may only in the early twenties, but they have produced an album that echoes of the wisdom, expertise and love of a band that has over fifty years of life experience to share with the world. It's a beautiful thing.
Luke Sutton
'Older' is available now via Bandcamp
While initially a solo moniker for Maxwell Roberts, in less than a year Velma Grove have flourished into a seven-piece troupe, playing sold out shows and winning over new fans with their infectious and charismatic folk offerings.
Recorded during early 2013, the quality of musicianship captured throughout Older is simply impeccable. It’s truly wonderful for the listener to not only hear the confidence of the band in music, but to feel it as well.
From the unexpected, yet delightfully added horn section of opening number Caroline, to the richly stunning harmonies that are laced within the instrumentals of Paper House, the members of Velma Grove have seldom put a foot, or chord, wrong.
A fuzzed electric guitar jam in the title track Older stands out unexpectedly amongst the album as a whole, while several instrumental interludes help to bridge the release together and give a sense of seamless clarity.
It's a welcome relief to say that there is no filler on Older. Each song has its place within the record, when all is said and done, it’s the touching track Song For Don that eases the album towards its somber conclusion, where a lone harmonica forms a bookend with Wood, fading out like a hitchhiker walking into the horizon.
Velma Grove’s members may only in the early twenties, but they have produced an album that echoes of the wisdom, expertise and love of a band that has over fifty years of life experience to share with the world. It's a beautiful thing.
Luke Sutton
'Older' is available now via Bandcamp