Holloways - So This is Great Britain?

It's been too long since I wrote a proper article about, well, anything. Instead, I've been tweeting about nonsense such as why people don't buy cucumber anymore and why you should avoid leaving DVDs out in the sun in case they turn into a pelican.

This is a new blog and it will be a regular (how regular, I dont know) thing. Basically what I am going to do is write about albums - past or present - that I personally feel should be in your musical library. Beginning with the band and the band's lyrics in which this blog is named after... THE HOLLOWAYS.

The debut album from the now, sadly, extinct 4 piece from LDN, NGLND. Released nearly 6 years ago now; The Holloways had made another album between STiGB and splitting which had - as well as this album - received mixed reviews, but this is definitely their finest work.

Rants about how shit England seems to be directly entwines with the fact that we should celebrate our damaged, corrupt nation. Rhymes about the Beckham's, metaphors about the oarless ship that is GB and anecdotes about the masses sleeping around and binging on drink and drugs are all included, and that's only in the first song (So This is Great Britain)

The catchy duets of vocalists Alfie Jackson and Rob Skipper layer the scratchy guitars, bluesy harmonicas and raging violins throughout, and the observational lyrics spurted from their respected mouths not only give non-UK residents an insight into the depths of our weekly routine, but provide a laugh too.

Alfie and the boys found the perfect mix between spitting words about our attitude to culture with humour and class, and revert back and forth between problems with nights out which unequivocally lead to the problems with girls and the problems with society in general... Such as in the songs Two Left Feet (below) and Nothing for the Kids.

Two Left Feet

Diamonds and Pearls shows the calmer side of the indie Londeners, and talks of love and longing for the summer. This is my highlight of the entire album and deserves the global recognition and critical acclaim myself and all my known alias' are giving it.

Of course, we can't forget the song which everyone will know these boys for, Generator. With its message of 'life is nonsense so let's dance', this is the peak of Holloways' success in the unpredictable, often dross world of musical fusion.

Holloways were a band with a titanic degree of love for what they were doing and they didn't receive nearly enough recognition for what they achieved in the years they were together. I can only pray that they will pick up the guitars and violins again, and smash the face off chart music once more. Listen with intent and do the only thing you can when their words and tones hit you; smile and give life the middle finger.