Tall Tales

When there are seven instrumentalists on stage, and a simmering energy bubbling beneath their fingers, it must be difficult for the vocalist to enunciate, to project, to make himself known. But on Tall Tales, the debut full-length record from London-based seven-piece Ringlefinch, Andy Logan’s almost-spoken lead vocals, reminiscent of 3 Daft Monkeys, are front and centre, as the rest of the band raggle-taggle behind him. For it is a raggle-taggle sound: in ‘The Prince of Poyais’, Gypsy jazz violin curdles the air as shouts from the rest of the band cut through the carnival; the flamenco pulse of ‘Dust & Stones’ is soothed by the strings; and ‘The Masochism Tango’ struts its way across the dance floor. Epic album closer, song cycle ‘Coldwell Clough’, stops and starts, wriggles and twitches, and commands the hairs on the back of the neck to a standing ovation. The influences are wide-ranging but the musicianship is so tight, the arrangements so arresting, that it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. This is the welcome soundtrack to the polishing of our dancing shoes – ready for the first live dates they announce!