The Miserable Rich OF FLIGHT & FURY (HS). Release date to be announced.

Brighton’s The Miserable Rich were formed in 2007 by cellist/pianist William Calderbank and singer percussionist James de Malplaquet. The band’s name was taken from an experience had playing at an aristrocratic wedding in Rome, and then the guys set out making “unusual acoustic modern music.” The group was completed by the addition of violinist Mike Siddell (ex Hope Of The States), guitarist Jim Briffett (ex Clearlake) and Rhys Lovell on double bass.

This is the band’s second album and takes up the story from where the first album left off. It’s a charming album that achieves the band’s musical objective although other acts have now taken up a similar pop style. ‘Pegasis’ opens the book with a softly melancholic, reflective chapter. Melody is strong, lyrics are good,and the instrumental arrrangement is pleasantly subtle. Malplaquet’s voice is unhurried, smooth and natural, and is allowed to shine with those instrumentals nicely controlled. ‘Chesnut Sunday’ is next and to me sounds far more distinctive and stonger. It’s major assets are its stronger melody and rhythm, hooky choruses and cello/violin passages. ‘Flight 1′ is a short and delightful string instrument interlude followed closely by a swaying and theatrical ‘Somerhill’ - a standout song here, and one I may radio play-list. Another darker instrumental interlude before ‘Bye Bye Kitty’ that is also darker (and welcomingly so). The song and vocal reminds me of a USA folk singer/songwriter rather than a song from a Brighton UK crew. It’s another standout and nice to see mood and sonic diversity creep in…

‘For A Day’ is offers a divergence in sound and mood. I like the way the instruments are allowed to wander off on their own, and on this song quite beautifully. ‘Oliver’ is a refective tune with a darker bass vibe and some deft changes of pace. This one is indeed quite diffent as the slow-pace vocal meets rushed choruses, and is my pick of the album. ‘Let Me Fade’ is a gently flowing ballad with the piano surfacing to great effect and some swooning vocal harmonies providing powerful support to the strong lead vocal. It’s another album highlight, along with the album’s final track ‘Hungover’ with its almost relentless piano notes creating a musical focus point.

This is a lovely album, however, it failed to move me in the way that it has others. Perhaps it’s because it doesn’t land ‘killer blows’, and if you want an example check out some of Dirty Three’s albums (led by fiddler Warren Ellis) and songs which, without words, manage to move me emotionally - big-time. That said, I cannot fail to give this album a buy recommendation.

4/5

Buyer’s View (First Album)

“I first heard The Miserable Rich on Marc Riley’s 6 music show about six months ago and the sheer beauty, of in particular ‘Boat Song’, literally brought a tear to my eye. Ever since that night, I’ve been waiting in anticipation for the album to come out and now that it has, can confirm that my first impressions were not misplaced. While having a haunting melancholic sound, The Miserable Rich are also strangely uplifting. Lovely melodies with exquisite strings and guitar along with James de Malplaquet’s heart wrenching vocals creates an album of gorgeous proportions. The only down side is another wait, this time for live dates in the North of England, which will hopefully arrive early next year. Buy this album, turn the lights down low, poor a glass of wine and let the sound of The Miserable Rich wash over you. I can guarantee it’s an experience everyone should share, especially with someone you love.”