lambchops's Full Review: The Sound Of...McAlmont & Butler by McAlmont & But...
Bernard Butler might be best known as the original front man for the well respective British band rock/Brit-pop band Suede, but he later returned to the scene first with underground soul star David McAlmont and later on his own solo terms.
Butler’s work with McAlmont and Butler was a complete departure from the catchy, brilliant rock of the first two Suede releases. Not to say that his mid-career work was bad…much on the contrary the two albums released in conjunction with McAlmont were an inspired combination of soul, rock, and of course Brit-pop. While maybe not as easily assimilated the sound was overall very appealing on a completely different level.
McAlmont and Butler came together officially in 1995 and during the time until the quick breakup, just one album was quietly released (the second came posthumously in 2002 and was titled Bring It Back). David McAlmont came his closest to achieving fame with his teaming with Butler. In the mid-1990’s he recorded and released his eponymous debut (actually chronologically preceded by almost unknown Thieves project), a show of his vocal style and did little to embrace his overall appeal. McAlmont was greeted with resounding support when he teamed with Butler.
The Sound of McAlmont and Butler is not a proper studio album. Rather, it is a near-brilliant collection of drops, blurbs, and incidentals. The two came together to record experimental, appealing, and exuberant pop/rock with a distinct turn toward soul. They accomplished their initial goal and in the end surpassed all expectation…regardless of the album’s intentions. A succinct, glorious, inspired combination of the best elements of David Bowie, Suede, and Lenny Kravitz is soul-rock with a heart of gold. Life since experiencing McAlmont and Butler will never be the same. The two have created a veritable masterpiece as equally appealing to rock and Brit-pop fans and listeners of soul. It is modern and challenging, yet somehow also as comfortable as your favorite sweatshirt.
McAlmont and Butler are indeed masters of their art. They are rich and lovely singers and equally as impressive songwriters. Any artist or collection of artists who is able to so perfectly assemble an album deserves all of the riches of the musical world both emotionally and monetarily. Such is the case with this duo. Butler obviously injected every last drop of blood, sweat, tears, and most of all love into every note, word, vocal track, and song of this album. This is the direction he intended for Suede, and as such this is an extension of his earlier work especially reflective in earlier songs like Stay Together.
But in working with McAlmont, Butler was granted a measure of freedom. His name wasn’t incredibly well known (especially stateside) yet he is obviously an amazing talent. It is impossible to rave too much about The Sound of McAlmont and Butler. It is the type of release that must be heard to be understood and for that matter believed. Consisting of just eleven songs, the 1995 Hut release is pleasing on every aural level. Listeners will find themselves lifted to emotional heights rarely reached by way of music. There are no weak songs, no problematic melodies, no unfriendly vocals…this album is the most flawless variety of perfection.
Considering the overall excellence of this album, it is challenging to discuss favorites. It seems unfair to the duo and to these incredible songs to say that one is better than another. All are appealing on a mainstream level while none assumes idiots populate the audience. All are intensely emotional while none requires the listener to stock Kleenexes. McAlmont and Butler are consistently impressive and absolutely scrumptious…The Sound of McAlmont and Butler is a brilliant album to fall in love to, an album to file next to the likes of future classics like the aforementioned Suede in addition to other lesser known acts like Eels, Jim White, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Grandaddy. Few albums and even fewer bands can aspire to such towering heights. McAlmont and Butler need not aspire…they reached it on their first haphazard outing.
The album begins strongly with the excellent single Yes. Butler’s vocals soar majestically above a chorus, light percussion and a memorable melody. Still unconvinced about the inherent worth of this album? Look no further than the McAlmont-fronted second track, What’s the Excuse This Time. With the first lightly funky beats followed immediately by McAlmont’s classically resonant voice, prepare yourself to be both amazed and entertained. He packs the song with a surprising amount of fervor, so much that it proves impossible not to feel the pop-soul groove to from the tip of your toes through the base of your spine and oozing out your scalp. His relaxed, Prince meets Al Green meets Lenny Kravitz style come through wonderfully. Not to mention the fact that the lyrics are infectious pop:
You oughta give me something [you said you would]
Am I impatient, are you taking your time [You spoke about it, you talked about it]
But I still can’t see what it’s supposed to be
I never asked for much in my life
I’ve always managed to pass things by
But promises are promises
So tell me now,
What’s the excuse this time
McAlmont and Butler continue down their short path to greatness with the vaguely dark but still wondrous The Right Thing. Vocals paired with a slide guitar and a touch of Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie make for a driving, intelligent track. Even a little Lou Reed seeps through the understated, dark chords. While not as immediately accessible as other songs the true brilliance of the twosome comes to fruition on the less pop-oriented songs. Not to say there’s anything wrong with tracks like Yes, but there is something for everybody on this disc.
The time passes quickly despite most songs clocking in somewhere between four and six minutes. Although is a modest, emotional love song. McAlmont croons with the best of him about love and subsequent loss. The modern soul vibe with Don’t Call It Soul. Driven by technically perfect slide guitar and acoustic guitar it cements the album in minds as nothing less than flawless.
Grandiose, driving, and at its heart blues-rock, Disappointment once again sparks with evocative musicianship and vibrant vocals. It doesn’t resonate in quite the same way as some of the other tracks, but with that said it is still absolutely worth hearing. There’s nothing about this album that will even near dissatisfaction. The Debitor is a big, wild bluesy rock track. A clap-along anthem, it is one of the most obviously appealing of the entire disc. Though, it isn’t as poppy as Yes or immediately unrelenting as What’s the Excuse This Time it does move at a great pace and include elements not generally associated with the genre. Expect a shock when the occasional electronic whir and British savoir-faire are expertly injected.
How About You returns to a formula blending the ballad with the Bowie glam. But as interpreted by McAlmont and Butler it comes off as something completely different…by no means retro or a throwback, this is a gorgeous soul-rock offering. The final three songs wrap The Sound of McAlmont and Butler up gracefully. They do draw on techniques and patterns explored earlier on the album, but they do so without sounding like they are stuck in a rut or put on repeat. Tonight is a classic, gorgeous slow rock track. You’ll Lose a Good Thing is the only song here not written by McAlmont and Butler. Marked lightly by an organ, the song is driven by most notably by McAlmont’s splendid voice. Previous interpretations of the Meaux/Owen song have been recorded by Freddy Fender, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Lynn among many others. But the British duo does something special, something amazing with the song, something that makes it one of the most breathtaking things of the genuinely wonderful album.
A viola, violin, flute and light guitar surround Do You, the epic capstone of this incomparable album. It sweeps through time, grasps the heart, massages the soul with pain and concern. But as with all other things on The Sound of McAlmont and Butler the appeal of the song is rooted in what is obviously a diving pairing. This song, this album, and both David McAlmont and Bernard Butler have proven beyond any semblance of doubt that they are here to stay and that their unique blend of music deserves to be heard.
The Sound of McAlmont and Butler transcends time and place. It is a piece of soul as interpreted by a truly gifted soul vocalist and a Brit-pop legend. Believe it or not, both Butler and McAlmont can be appreciated by most everybody willing to open their minds and heart. This is a special album, a truly incredible piece of art that will unquestionable wedge itself into any collection. Go. Now. Buy The Sound of McAlmont and Butler.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Yes
02. What’s the Excuse This Time
03. The Right Thing
04. Although
05. Don’t Call It Soul
06. Disappointment
07. The Debitor
08. How About You?
09. Tonight
10. You’ll Lose a Good Thing
11. Do You
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