Somewhere, in the middle of nowhere, a dilapidated big top stands. Trudging through the rain towards it, a small orchestra is besieged by birds of paradise. Inside the tent an ill-fated clown juggles a selection of salamis (clubs pawned, loan sharks placated) accompanied by a knackered barrel organ and the purring of a cat with a megaphone. Backstage, a monstrously overweight stunt motorcyclist nervously contemplates gravity, whilst outside the bats are circling ever closer…
Welcome to “The Golden Age of Steam”.
“Kit Downes and Tim Giles also play a central role in this assured follow-up CD from The Golden Age of Steam, though here their sounds are more abrasive and rhythmically raw, a shoe-in for their rough-edged regular-partner, the multi-instrumentalist James Allsopp – he adds Klaxons to a range of reeds. Sample the FT’s top stories for a week You select the topic, we deliver the news. Select topic Enter email address Invalid email By signing up you confirm that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions, cookie policy and privacy policy. The album, built on the Pythonesque conceit of a rundown circus, veers from free-jazz fury and abstract beeps to pulled-out blues and whispery ballads. Added brass, strings and out-of-context samples enhance the sense of anguish.” (Mike Hobart, Financial Times)