10. Change

Tim & Julie
Very rich sounding as if T&J get a new add-on to their recording set up on month-by-month basis.

This sounds very together as if it’s a band!!

I loved the stops and starts and the Robert Fripp-sounding lead twiddles.

In terms of lyrical thought (and as you alluded to in the sleeve notes) this is a subject matter that has been covered…and covered and covered. Tweeting seems to be an obsession for some and the criticism of tweeting, though not an obsession, can be equally as tiresome so I sort of ‘zoned out’ once I understood the thrust of the lyric.

On a technical note (and it has to be understood that I’m listening to this on Beats’ Headphones) there’s an awful lot of middle in the overall EQ. The guitar (unsurprisingly) was perfect in terms of its sound and the execution of the parts but the bass for some reason seemed to occupy some of that space too (though it was undoubtedly bass-y!)

Overall, a great effort, demonstrating growth and maturity as well as stamping your unique style all over it.



Phil S

I love the thought that you’re secretly a cross-dresser, Phil!! I feel that I know you’re not as you even suggested that running ‘tights’ were a bit weird.

The story is great as Julian discovers his inner Juliet.

This ‘celtic’ song has a beautiful and bouncy happiness to it and I can imagine this being a Christmas number one to the outrage of people who demand ‘proper’ songs at Christmas.

I loved your now trademark guitar ‘shred’ but I could have done with that a bit louder. Overall, I was relieved that I could hear every syllable as the lyrics were delicious and not a little surprising in places as you teased with the idea of Julian’s secret.

Brilliant.



Stephen C

He always gives us a tune and a hook.

Even when he’s out on his travels, he makes the effort to contribute and this is as good as anything he’s written.

Stephen, unlike me, has a sound that is uniquely his - unpretentious and accessible, I was intrigued by his dour interpretation that ‘…change is getting further away’ while I’ve gone for the (perhaps) easier to defend sentiment that change is happening all the time and is inevitable. But I would guess this is more a call to alms for the disaffected, all wrapped in an easy to digest, catchy tune (Stephen is the master of the catchy tune.)

A wonderful effort again and another ‘stallion’ from the Clarke stable.



Christian D

From the off, a weird chord inviting in the audience and then a move down and back into comfortable and familiar territory as Christian romps along in his characteristic style that always belies the complexity of his instrumentation and arrangement.

Unlike most of the songs I ever listen to, the lyrics always draw one in and this song is no exception. I love the story telling and I was intrigued to find out whether he’d be discovered or just continue along on his road of infidelity (in fact I was watching the ‘bar’ showing me that I only had 45seconds to discover the final FINAL outcome - the only disappointment of the song, for me, was the kind of lack of real conclusion. We’d found out he’d been kicked out by his wife for his affair but I felt sure that from Christian’s vivid ramblings there’d be an additional sting in the tail. This is a minor gripe as the lyrical content was utterly enthralling and charming.)

Musically, this is as good as it gets. He’s an accomplished musician and his drum programming is the of the same high standard as his bro (and I) used to do and just edges it up the pecking order.

A great song, brilliantly put together (and sounding, sonically, better than ever. New gear, perchance?)

Stephen Clarke – Change is Getting Further Away

Despite your comments about low production values the sound quality is surprisingly good – the echo has disappeared, and the instruments have greater clarity. Notably, there is no echo on the guitar that fills in for your bass.

This is a really good song, and highlights the strength of your songwriting at a time you don’t have much technology at your disposal. It’s a well-constructed folk song and sounds simple – but it isn’t easy to come up with these. I like the Holy Grail/whale line and the lyrics in the second half of the chorus sum up the premise of the song in lilting lines: ‘I’ve been marching at the front of the line/I’ve been repeating every slogan they say/an illusion, my conclusion is that change is getting further away.’

Another winner.



Phil Sanderson – Juliet

More confessions from Phil along the lines of his recent thong thing. This is a loveable jig about a bloke who’s curious to find out what it’s like going out on the town as a woman. Phil displays a light comic touch here. It all feels very jolly and playful, although the thought of seeing him with a ‘double E’ bust is slightly eye-watering. The protagonist has clearly spent a lot of time making himself look convincing; I like the imagery in the lines ‘wax my legs, use perfume/pretty smells fill my room’ and in ‘change my voice into falsetto, perched upon my new stilettos.’ Phil doesn’t reveal whether Juliet has a successful night – or what might constitute a successful night – but this is a bouncy, energetic song thanks to the jaunty drums and the snatches of accordion. I’m really enjoying Phil’s Gaelic phase – and this will take some beating. Good stuff.



Tim and Julie - Changed to Newspeak

Some inventive guitar playing from Tim here – it’s good that you’re experimenting with the discordant stuff. I feel a bit mean-spirited saying that this is a slight dip from your recent outstanding form, but I couldn’t find much to hang onto during the song as a whole – sorry T&J. That might be because you’ve spoiled us with some great rhythms and melodies lately and I’m judging you a bit harshly. The bass works well, sounding a little like free form jazz at times. The mix is really good.



Rob Warner – Welcome Back

Startlingly good given that you cobbled it all together in such a short time. The chorus is restrained and yet carries a certain oomph and the uncluttered arrangement punctuated with harmonies and some nice Pino Palladino-style bass sounds is very enjoyable. There are one or two clunky lyrics but there’s good piano playing, great singing and a soulful groove. It’s one of your very best ballads though. Voting will be difficult this month.

Tim and Julie – Changed to Newspeak

Love that guitar sound, in fact I love all the notes / chords you’re playing, too – what overdrive / distortion do you use, Tim? I’d have liked another verse or verse with a guitar solo, but no matter, I just play song twice through each time! It’s a great driving song, driven along by a good bass line and crisp drums. I like the sentiment behind the lyrics and the words are delivered well, including very effective backing vocals. Great!



Stephen Clarke – Change is Getting Further Away

Another classic SC song with lyrics to envy from first word to last. Somehow you can rhyme words which might sound crass, but they never do in your songs ( eg ‘share’ and ‘yeah’ !) Really really like the guitar sound on the left side and the higher guitar part on the chorus on the right side ( if that makes sense?) The last chorus and the outro are just lovely. I can imagine a great video for this mixing up footage from different eras.





Rob Warner – Change is Going to Come

What a great piano sound on the intro. It made me immediately set up my keyboard to try to emulate it, with rather less success than I had hoped. When coupled with the bass sound and trademark first class vocals, you have produced a fine piece of music indeed. Some of the lyrics are a bit clichy, but that’s a bit picky from me I feel. Backing vocals lovely again like previous month’s song. I like how there is only a short section after the guitar solo, it’s well balanced and ends the song on a thoughtful note ( if rather sombre, as you bring death to the listener’s attention!)





Christian Duffin – First Lie of the Day

Great opening to this song… and then it just gets better and better. Another song where I can’t decide whether I like the verse, prechorus or chorus most – they’re all good – hang on I forgot to mention the instrumental bit, also first class. This song has got stuck in my head for a week now, although I never seem to be able to remember the lyrics, so I return to play it over again. Love playing along to this song, but I don’t think I could add to its excellence.