7/10
There comes a point when any endorsement doesn’t have the weight it once did; Bradford (confusingly from across the M62 in Blackburn) were once proclaimed by none other than Morrissey as his favourite band after the release in 1988 of their debut single Skin Storm, the by then solo artist even releasing his own version a few years later.
He wasn’t the only well-known fan either, the erstwhile skinheads joining forces with Smiths producer Stephen Street on their first album, Shouting Quietly.
Unfortunately, as club and terrace moved closer together, many of those who appealed to neither faction were trampled, and the quintet’s politically conscious but soulful indie was cruelly drowned by the tsunami of Madchester.
★★★★★
EXTINCTION-RESISTANT octet Crazy Arm rise like a phoenix with this fabulous collection, which owes as much to masterly musicianship as their lived collective, creative spirit.
Crazy Arm is all about musical and philosophical agitation, rich in stupendous syncopation, in-your-face assertiveness and echoes of Appalachian harmonies combining symbiotically song after song.
Samantha Spake on violin and Simon Dobson on trumpet embroider terrific background riffs in intelligent and democratic arrangements.
Tim Langsford, and Matt Colwell on drums and Dan James on bass breathtakingly anchor the proceedings, never mind the stupendous guitars and voices.
Fear Up US military slang for terrorising civilians Blessed and Cursed, Howl of the Heart, Epicurean Firestorm and Golden Hind are simply magnificent.