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Snowblind - The Falls
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Gladwin
Gladwin
402 posts

Snowblind - The Falls
Oct 02, 2007, 09:55
Does anyone else love this overlooked gem from 2002?

Here's what Richard Smirke of BBC Manchester had to say about the album at the time of its release on Independiente in 2002:

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"Having been dropped from Heavenly on the eve of releasing this album late last year, you could’ve been forgiven for thinking that Snowblind, aka Manchester-based duo Paul Williams and Jane Murphy, had gone the way of so many indie dreamers before them - i.e. nowhere.

"Luckily the pop two-some persevered, signed to a new label and in The Falls have resurfaced with their original debut - and the result is a surprisingly delightful collection of glimmering pop gems.

"From the moment that acoustic guitars and trumpets herald the beginning of first single and opening track Easy Girl, Snowblind’s debut places you in a joyous land of lush harmony and soothing orchestration.

"Slowly rides a crestful wave of melody and idyllic strings, Summer In The Sun sounds like the Boo Radleys in all their uplifting sun-soaked glory, and album standout Message For Glo mixes brooding strings, sound FX and piano into a gorgeous, off-kilter musical odyssey.

"The album may contain no bonafide hit as such, and upon your first listen initially appears as eleven versions of the same song, but this is nonetheless a delightful collection of subtle beauty and heavenly songwriting. Blending strings, piano, acoustic guitars and luminous vocals, Paul and Jane have succeeded in creating a polished and enjoyable debut.

"They may have begun the year as a discarded, label-less duo but, in The Falls, Snowblind have returned stronger than ever. They could just end 2002 on top yet!"

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Thing is, I recently discovered that the original 2001 Heavenly version of The Falls was intended for release with markedly different mixes of the songs from those which eventually appeared on the more familiar Independiente release, from 2002. A promotional CDR on Heavenly bought on spec turned out to feature a whole album's worth of these original mixes.

I also discovered that songwriter Paul Williams was previously in a band called Swish, who released three singles during the mid-1990s. These singles contain early versions of six songs which would eventually resurface on The Falls.

Add to that the four b-sides from the two Snowblind singles Cut and Easy Girl as well as the downtempo J-Walk Easy Girl remix and the gritty Soulsavers Fistful of Dollars remix, and there's enough for a nice 2CD set, which will make a very nice companion to the Independiente release.

I do love it when a band whose sole album you love suddenly turns out to have a whole lot more to offer!

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