The phrase “there must be something in the water” may well be patent nonsense but no English city – no, not even London or Liverpool – gives it more credence than Manchester.
The city has given birth to more brilliant bands than I care to mention, and has now produced another. The Slow Show have come up with a debut album of epic scope and ambition which sets its sights high and, stunningly, delivers.
It’s been a long time coming: the band have been together since 2010 but have had to wait until now to complete White Water, in order to afford the string sections, choirs and brass (guests include the 30-piece brass Glossop Old Band) which only add to the record’s dark majesty.
Just like Nick Cave, Johnny Cash and fellow Lancastrians Elbow, theirs is a rich sound combining guitars, strings and piano, topped off by the spine-tingling vocals of singer Rob Goodwin and, most importantly, gut-wrenching melodies.
Dive in.
Like this? Try these: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Let Love In; Elbow, The take-off and landing of everything
By Andrew Greenhalgh
twitter: @adjgreenhalgh
Thirty three and a third: Record reviews by Andrew Greenhalgh 