Another year later comes another album from Black Country, New Road and yet another reinvention of the band. Their new set of material after the departure of the young UK collective's frontman Isaac Wood brings in more melodrama and theatrics in a live setting but it ultimately isn't as gripping or intriguing as the group's previous releases.
There's quite a lot of unpredictability with Black Country, New Road in a surprisingly short amount of time. The young UK ensemble formed and released the debut album For the first time back in 2021 and released their next album Ants From Up There a short year after in 2022. Both records garnered huge acclaim with each one being entirely different from each other in sound and dynamics. Amalgamating a unique recipe of post punk, baroque pop, post rock and everything in between, BC, NR are a band to pay attention to. Following this continued force of change, frontman and lead singer/songwriter Isaac Wood left the band shortly before Ants From Up There's release due to mental health concerns. A big shock for anyone whose been following the band up to this point, would BC, NR discontinue, continue on or simply rebrand themselves into something completely new?
Now another year later comes another album from BC, NR, and another reinvention of the band. Without Wood, a few other members have taken his place in the spotlight, rotating songwriting and singing duties across numerous songs within the new album's track list. There is another distinctive change in sound, this time leaning more towards baroque pop, early 2000's era piano-fronted post rock and lounge band music. Also this album is a live album taken from a couple live performances at the Bush Hall in London. According to the band, these songs seem to be meant to be listened to in a live setting and may not even be recorded on a proper studio album. Also another thing to note is that the project was first produced as a concert film before it became a live album, so it's both an audio and visual experience.
Having enjoyed both albums previously, I was definitely looking forward to whatever BC, NR was going to make next regardless of who was in the lineup or not. Going into it first, I initially watched the concert film and then listened to the album on its own. I noticed the band's change in style and sound right away. I made comparisons to bands like Funeral-era Arcade Fire on their previous album and the influences show even more so here. They sound revitalized into a larger formation of early Arcade Fire and other piano-backed, anthemic art pop and post rock. "Up Song" certainly showcases this with the fiery piano and the peppy chanting of "look at what we did together / BC, NR friends forever" feels the band at their most anthemic and triumphant. Much of the quieter songs are even more dramatic and moody than on previous releases such as "I Won't Always Love You" or the majority of "Turbines/Pigs," which transforms into an explosive finish reminiscent of "Basketball Shoes." The chirpy strings, galloping drums and piano on "Across the Pond Friend" makes it a favorite for me. The raging energetic horn squeals and percussion on "Dancers" is great too.
It's hard to put my finger on it but this album doesn't grip me as much as their previous releases. Certain songs and moments do on this album but some of the moments, especially the more melodramatic moments, aren't as captivating as those from previous releases. The singers trading off keeps things interesting along with the change in instrumentation but I feel like the collective is struggling at points to keep one entire cohesive listening experience. Maybe it's because I've only given this album a couple listens but Live at Bush Hall is a dramatic, theatrical, and often beautiful detour... but a detour, nonetheless. I feel like this isn't the destination point yet. It seems that the band felt they had to change up their sound in a shockingly abrupt way due to Wood's departure and because of this, they haven't had the time to fully craft a set of songs that are as moving as Ants From Up There or even For the first time. I don't know... maybe it's just me. I like it, it's a nice listen but it's just not as gripping or interesting enough for me to return to it again anytime soon. I still appreciate the aesthetics and stylistic choices. I'm still looking forward to future BC, NR projects down the road and all the unpredictable twists and turns along with it but this one isn't as intriguing or gripping as I would've hoped.
My Rating: 7 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Across the Pond Friend," "Up Song," "Turbines/Pigs," "Dancers"
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