Music Review
Band: The Black Watch
Title: The Hypnotizing Sea

Psychedelic / Indie / Pop

The Black Watch writes very smart songs - and the lyrics are always amusing. We’re baffled that they have 10 albums to their name, which have been highly praised, yet they haven’t near the level of success that so many people think they deserve.

I’ve tried to compare & pinpoint their sound and I just can’t. There are moments, just moments, when I hear a little Camper Van Beethoven, They Might Be Giants, Gin Blossoms, XTC, The Church, The Jazz Butcher, and even a little Cure in them. Yes, these bands are quite different from one another. In the end, The Black Watch really has a sound and style all their own.

‘Buttercup Fairchild’ – I just adore this charming song!!! I know that on the coldest and greyest of days I will suddenly feel the sun penetrating my skin when I play this tune – a tune that just lifts my soul. One of my favorites on this fantastic album!

‘Shakespeare’ – The first thing you notice about this catchy track is the witty lyrics that we were raving about earlier. “Your eyes are crooked as the local council guy, who stole himself a large piece of the pie from the coffers, now they want to go and hang him high.”

‘The Hypnotizing Sea’ – A magical song that sticks to you like glue. There’s a lot of interesting things going on in this song – the title is a perfect fit. A definite highlight on this release.

‘Papercut’ – This track is pure perfection... and a song we all can relate to. “Papercut when I’m with you. I don’t want to, but I want you. I don’t want you, but I want to. It’s not enough, it’s everything.” An extremely pretty song and another personal favorite. A well-written song all the way around.

‘How I Go Round’ and ‘Another Summer Coming’ are other fantastically brilliants tracks.

‘Room 407’ is a gorgeously arranged and uplifting instrumental.

They're cool, they're fun, they're sophisticated, and they are definitely song-writing masters! This cd has been playing in my home daily for the last 2 months. Check The Black Watch out. You’ll be so happy you did.
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