The art of the postcard is dead. A relic of a bygone era. As dated as dial-ups and music television. Why do we need such ephemera when all of our lives are plastered over social media, day in and day out? Who needs to receive a postcard when you’ve been highlighting your holidays every last minute of every bloody day to people who do not actually need to know? This is the question that singer-songwriter Blokeacola addresses on his new album Boastcard. In his mind, these constant updates equate to a life of boasting. Throw in a world being subsumed by tech-bro fever and the constant nepotism that proves the old adage ‘money goes to money’ correct. Heavy subjects for heavy times yet….
Boastcard is not an intense, heavy polemic full of sloganeering and atmospheric dread. What it is is a beautiful collection of supremely crafted pop songs that manage to carry their creators message without being too heavy handed making it a completely enjoyable listening experience. It reminds you of early Eels or Teenage Fanclub records. Points are scored and opinions delivered but everything is done with a whistling melody and an addictive chorus.
The mood of Boastcard is established straight out of the gate with the hypnotic swirl of psych-pop Catapult which talks about people that are “catapulted from the top to the top” and those whose “esteem comes from lying men”. Follower Newish Century slows the pace but helps highlight one of the strongest elements to the album and that is the voice of Blokeacola himself. This is his richest and strongest vocal recording to date and highlights his growth as an artist. There is a confidence that runs throughout the album which tells us that here is an artist fully committed to the message, style and delivery of this album. If he had any nerves or doubts when making Boastcard then he hides them extremely well.
This album was made, like other Blokeacola albums, in the good old fashioned DIY yet that this album is so detailed and well produced that it sounds every bit as good as anything you hear on the radio and in a just a fair world this album would receive a lot of exposure..the fact that it probably won’t helps highlight how correct the authors opinions are on the music business and the world in general. Listen to the beauty of Insincere Handshake which is a gorgeous earworm of a song which you could imagine XTC releasing during their more pastoral phase. Then there’s the skip and whistle of Latchkey Kid which glides along on a gorgeous melody whilst the lyrics speak of far heavier subjects. Fans of Super Furry Animals should really gravitate towards this one.
Blokeacola has made a numerous amount of albums throughout his career and each one has felt like a step forward in artistic confidence and songwriting ability and with Boastcard we now get his finest collection of songs, produced and arranged to perfection which helps deliver a series of serious thoughts in a way that is addictive and truly unique. A fine album indeed.
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Review by Simon Tucker
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