MUSIC REVIEW WORLD

Today’s review features the new album Godless Blues by Fate the Juggler. The band was formed in 2010 by its main songwriter Robert Spiers. The current line up has been playing together for eight years (and it sounds like it; this album is a particularly nice listen.). Robert says “We are a five piece original indie rock band.” Godless Blues is the band’s 11th release. “We’ve played many many gigs including festivals” with “Squeeze, The Proclaimers, Oysterband, and more.” A well-seasoned band. Excellent.

So let’s have a listen …

I listened to this album all the way through and then went back and listened to track by track. My first impression is this album reminds me a lot of British musician Mark Knopfler. Not so much in the brilliance of the lead guitar work, which is really good on this album, but more in the overall sonic texture of the mixes and the song arrangements. The engineering and production of this album are really top-notch. Every instrument and voice has its rightful place in the mix. They weave together to tell a story.

The album kicks off with the title cut Godless Blues. Starts with a simple drum beat. Right away, with a name like Godless Blues, I’m expecting some Stevie Ray Vaughn or Buddy Guy. But no, something cooler – a sound like Dire Straits. Some banjo and electric guitar. Folk blues. Cool. The vocals lay nicely over the track. “I don’t understand why you always play those godless blues.” The drums and bass are really well played. Very nice spicy electric guitar solo followed by a keyboard and fiddle solo. Fingerpicked acoustic guitar. There are so many ear choices. I love it.

Once Upon A Time starts with an elegant guitar solo. This song reminds me a bit of Steely Dan. But mainly, it continues with the same awesome sonic blend of instruments. I like the songwriting and song arrangement. This song creates strong emotions with an inviting blend of sounds, punctuated by a really nice lead guitar and piano solo performances. Loving the ethereal backing voices. The song does have a blues form.

The third song on the album is Into The Storm. The song kicks off with a harmonica and acoustic guitar strumming away. Sounds like a Bob Dylan or maybe even Tom Petty type vibe. A well-constructed song.

Freedom (Don’t Let It Slip Away) is the fourth song on the album. It has a bouncy feel. Lots of instruments in the mix. The song is spell-binding in the way all of the instruments flow and weave together in the mix. I’m hearing a nice arpeggiated lead guitar riff against a complex drum beat. “Don’t Let It Slip Away, your Freedom.” The song has a reggae-type feel. Very spicy electric guitar solo fades into the ladies’ “whoo-oooh-oohs”. I like how the main vocal and backing vocals weave together in the mix. The song has a big ending, complete with horns.

The fifth song, Keys To The Kingdom, kicks off with a nice acoustic guitar strum. The vocals are heavily effected at the beginning of the song, then become more normal as the rest of the song kicks in. The song construction and arrangements on this album are particularly nice. I love the tasty, and very effective, lead guitar solo in the middle and at the end.

Cold Comfort (I Can’t Let Go) starts off with a nice acoustic guitar strum. The lead guitar enters, and during the verses, punctuates the rhythm. I like the backing vocals in the “I Can’t Let Go” choruses. Nice vocal bridge.

The seventh song on the album is Your Voice. Starts with a strong piano vamp, eventually joined by an acoustic guitar strumming the same pattern. Loving the vocals on this track. “It’s your choice, it’s your voice.” The slowly driving guitar/piano riff drives this song as you bounce along. An interesting ethereal keyboard sweeping in the mix at the end of this song.

All The Way From LA. Starts with air traffic control or police dispatch, then the keyboard kicks into a nice Steely Dan type riff, with a shimmering electric guitar. Police sirens wail. Electric lead guitar solos over a mesmerizing sonic blend. Nice keyboard solo too. A 9 minute ride that keeps you entertained through the whole song. My favorite so far.

The ninth song on the album is Everything Will Be Alright (Together). This is a bouncy track with the lead electric guitar playing a single-note motif over  the main rhythmic parts, well, until the guitar solo comes in the middle of the song. Nice keyboard solo too! “Everything is gonna be alright.” At about 4:40 into the song, just when you think it’s going to end, the song kicks off new again, with a keyboard and electric guitar call and answer.The final cut is As Long As The Monies Made. Starts off with a strong riff. The main vocals remind me of Mark Knopfler. A nice driving rock tune. The song has a strong chorus “as long as the monies made”. Very memorable.

SCORE/Excellent: This album was a surprisingly fun listen from start to finish. Very well constructed songs and instrumentation in the mix. I would listen to this album again and again. So much ear candy! Definitely add this album to your favorite playlist or radio station. Much love, Beth
The final cut is As Long As The Monies Made. Starts off with a strong riff. The main vocals remind me of Mark Knopfler. A nice driving rock tune. The song has a strong chorus “as long as the monies made”. Very memorable.

“If you’re always on the lookout for vintage melodically soft Rock n’ Roll servings of aural nostalgia, Look no further that the comforting tonality found within Fate the juggler’s single Looking for America. Their story-weaving soundscapes are incredibly efficacious when it comes to throwingyou into an era where indie offered authenticity, rhythm, and potent servings of catharsis.Any fans of The Doors, Hendrix and The Rolling Stones are sure to appreciate the bluesy stylised melodicism offered by Fate the Juggler” -Amelia Vandergast A&R/Factory.

“All the best bands have a period of hiatus and Fate the Juggler have been through a period ofsignificant transformation, however this journey has had a seriously happy ending as the new bandline up is a huge step forward. As I have said before, ‘foist this little gem of Kent on the world’ -it may be a slightly different gem now but it shines ever brighter. -Simon Goodale, Heard and Seen.

“The new line up is better than the original. This band has an edge, a bite and describes itself asindie rock. In fact, at the beginning of Shadows Falling I thought Judges was going to launch intoa  Hendrix riff. Spiers’ songs are as strong as ever but I’d like to think that this was the sound he had in his head when he founded the band. I think Fate the Juggler have a bright future ahead of them again.” - Dai Jeffries RNR Magazine.