'We Try' is a brilliant singalong while 'Shadows' is tinged with world-weary Americana and subtly demonstrates the band's love for Neil Young and Townes Van Zant in a way that still sounds like the work of great British songwriters. Then comes the simple wintery folk of 'Did It Have To Be This Way', which has a musical warmth that could melt an iceberg, and even the coldest of hearts couldn't fail to be touched by the final bridge where Nigel Clark substitutes the previous "it's a crying shame" for a softly-spoken heartfelt "it's a fucking shame". Like the rest of the album it has a lovely organic sound, partly achieved by it being recorded at a secluded Malvern farm. Listen to the breaking barn doors and birdsong during the intro to 'Raggedstone Hill' for an example of the natural beauty these songs often portray.
'Waiting For The Sun' is beautifully melancholic soul music touched by real feelings of longing and yearning while the stunning 'Only A Heartbeat' is a particularly moving tribute to departed loved ones and has the sort of perfectly constructed melody that you will never forget. At the beginning of the album 'Tripped And Fell' tells the story of a monk falling in love and discovering a new kind of life, but the tale has a grim and unhappy ending as the monk is punished for breaking his vows by being made to climb up the 'Raggedstone Hill' on his hands and knees every day until his death. The aforementioned Malvern hill gives its name to the album's 6 minute centrepiece where the blood, sweat and suffering of the subject matter is perfectly captured by the heaving emotion of the music. It is without a doubt one of the most poignant and powerful tales of love you will ever hear and could very well be Dodgy's masterpiece.
Elsewhere there's the humble, understated acoustic beauty of 'Find A Place' and more reminiscent of old Dodgy is 'Back Of You' where the current Tory regime is told where to go. In fact a Conservative government was also in charge last time Dodgy released an album, another reminder of just how long it's been since those Britpop days. The album ends fittingly with the solemn grace of 'Happy Ending', which is in fact rather a mournful ending, with more wonderful acoustic finger picking that suggests the group may have been listening to a lot of Midlake, while the chorus bears beautifully sad shades of The Korgis' 'Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes'.
While the group have matured like a fine wine, the songs still represent what people loved about the band during the 90s and that is their strong melodies and well crafted tunes. In fact their advancing years have made them even better songwriters than they were all those years ago, and as musicians their confidence and imagination has also expanded. 'Stand Upright In A Cool Place' will surprise a lot of people, even the most stubborn of cynics. It is also their tidiest and most cohesive work to date, and from start to finish is an absolute joy to experience. A most welcome and refreshing comeback. 9
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