Billy Fuller is a name you should know. It should be said in the same sentences as Hook/Gallop/Weymouth. His playing has been a vital part in music by such luminaries as Robert Plant, Massive Attack, Alicia Keys, Baxter Dury (Fuller’s contributions to the latter’s last album are some of his finest recorded works) and of course BEAK> the band he co-founded with Geoff Barrow and Matt Williams, and who he would go on to record four studio albums (two of which with Will Young who joined after Williams’ departure), a clutch of EPs and soundtracks. The music of BEAK> is often framed around Fuller’s multifaceted basslines where he drives the melody and arrangements.
Now we see Fuller fully stepping out of the group dynamic and releasing his debut solo album. Fragments is collected from compositions that Fuller has been working on for a number of years. With BEAK> having a break in activity Fuller revisited these pieces he’d written and started to feel like they all had a similarity in atmosphere and mood which has resulted in him putting them all together and presenting us with what feels like a really personal and intimate display of Fuller’s musical heart.
The first thing you notice when listening to Fragments is its delightful contradictions. Here is an album made of a multitude of stylistic choices yet it all hangs together so well with a beautiful cohesion. This means that the 70s industrial/synth-pop of opening track ‘Rummer’ seques easily into the addictively melodic John Carpenter post-rock of ‘Three Blind Mice’ whilst the sci-fi tidal swirl of ‘Pirate Ship’ melts seamlessly into the jaunty optimism of ‘Bonanza’
Another of Fragments best features is in its run time. There are a full sixteen tracks to absorb with some pieces existing as brief interludes whilst others are allowed to stretch out and hypnotise with motorik repetition. You’ll find elements of such iconic cornerstones as Neu!, Can, Throbbing Gristle, The Velvet Underground, and obviously there will be moments that feel familiar to fans of BEAK>, but they are all used as a smaller cog in a much larger wheel which helps Fragments avoid the pitfalls of homage.
This is not an album made out of ego or artist narcissism. What it is is an album made by a really astute and intelligent songwriter who knows how to tap into core sensations such as joy, fear, laughter and deep emotional connection whilst never forgetting that the purpose of the work is to entertain. POP covered in psychedelic dust.
Enjoy the trip……..
Billy Fuller can be found on Instagram
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Review by Simon Tucker
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