SKINNY LISTER // "THE DEVIL, THE HEART AND THE FIGHT" - DELUXE EDITION
SKINNY LISTER RE-RELEASE THEIR 2016 ALBUM "THE DEVIL, THE HEART AND THE FIGHT" WITH A DELUXE EDITION AHEAD OF THEIR JOINT UK HEADLINE TOUR WITH 'BEANS ON TOAST'
SKINNY LISTER - "THE DEVIL, THE HEART AND THE FIGHT" - RELEASED 27TH OCTOBER 2017
PHOTO SOURCE: SONIC PR
★★★★☆
Following the acclaimed The Devil, The Heart, The Fight from October 2016, Skinny Lister return with a follow up deluxe edition featuring three new songs, reworked songs, and live recordings. The deluxe disk is broken into sections by short recordings of the band discussing the next few tracks.
Anyone associated with Xtra Mile Recordings all seem to be the hardest working artists in the music industry right now, and this is really a homage to Skinny Lister’s tenure.
The deluxe disk opens with a live recorded intro, and unlike many live albums it is less of the audience screaming but opens the album like a true Skinny show. When watching a film or reading a book the first few moments set the scene, and this is no different.
Going straight into the track ‘Thing Like That’ which has featured on the band’s setlist this summer. Going in with a strong sense of what Skinny is known for – a sea shanty sing-a-long with a swig of rum for the road. The following track is something slightly different, a festive offering for the festive season ‘Christmas Calls’. On initial listen, it sounds like a typical Christmas song but they are giving the festive traditions a quick Skinny Lister once over.
From new tracks to live tracks we bounce now to the recordings from their show earlier this year supporting Frank Turner at the Roundhouse, London. The band’s intro to this section really drives home the importance for places like Camden for the music community as a whole. Featuring ‘Wanted’ and ‘Hamburg Drunk’ from The Devil… and ‘This Is War’ from their second album Down on Deptford Broadway. These are crisp and clear for live recordings, with smidgens of the audience participation.
If you would rather have the feeling of being in the crowd at Skinny Lister show then the Scala bootlegs really capture this. It was the end performance of their last tour and the recording was done in secret. It makes sense that the opening of this section is the rip roaring ‘John Kanaka’ a certain fan favourite that always goes down well. One of my favourite tracks on the album sits in this section, ‘Cathy’ a song about a dodgy woman they once met. The Scala bootlegs could make any music fan yearn to be at a show.
A dash of a few session tracks and an excellent reworking of ‘Geordie Lad’ recorded in the OB1 Xtra Mile truck. A converted BBC broadcasting truck the label have turned into a studio. The reworking has a lovely rich sound that gives it a different vibe to the original – with the inspired idea of the electronic iPhone drum kit they mic’d up for the recording.
Closing the deluxe disk is the demo ‘Boy Ashore’ which allows the band’s folk roots to really shine through. Recorded in Party George’s garden (Max and Lorna’s Dad), the acoustic track is inspired by Radio 4 documentary about the Hastings fishing industry. It’s beautiful and a perfect end to the album. The occasional natural noises of birdsong and wind emphasise the gorgeous nature of the song.
For Skinny Lister fans the deluxe album is a must listen, but even those who aren’t huge fans I would highly recommend it. It captures both the well-known fun and sea shanty exploits of Skinny Lister but also the quieter more thoughtful moments.