The Optimist LP

by Turin Brakes

Overview

Part of the so-called quietcore movement in Britain, where folk meets pop. The Optimist is by turns delicate, impassioned, wistful, and androgynous. The lyrics come at the listener indirectly, quite a few of them refer to relationships in an angsty manner, and there are oblique ecological and anti-corporate references. It's as if After the Gold Rush (with its silver space ships) and the films The Man Who Fell to Earth and Bladerunner have all been put in a blender. Maybe this belies Ollie Knights' film studies background, or it's alien(ation) fallout from Radiohead. The standout track's are "The Door," which is infused with the sound of "Breathe" by Pink Floyd; "State of Things"; and "Mind Over Money." Elsewhere, "By TV Light" has the atmosphere of a sozzled aftermath, and "The Road" has some tasty slide work and a raga-like guitar motif. After repeat plays, the meanings of many of the songs are still a little obscure, but the feeling definitely grows. There seem to be traces of earthlings here and there - is that the spectral presence of the renowned Homosapien Paul Simon? Despite the acoustic setting this is almost as weird and original as Mercury Rev or early Captain Beefheart. File under: I'm not sure what's going on here, but it's interesting. ~ Mark Joseph

Product Details

Release Date:	09/03/2021
Label:	Republic Of Music / Two Piers Records
UPC:	5053760072270
Rank:	82638

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Feeling Oblivion
2. Underdog (Save Me)
3. Emergency 72
4. Future Boy
5. The Door
6. State Of Things
7. By TV Light
8. Slack
9. Starship
10. The Road
11. Mind Over Money
12. The Optimist

Disc 2

13. Feeling Oblivion [Demo]
14. Underdog (Save Me) [Demo]
15. Emergency 72 [Demo]
16. Future Boy [Original Version]
17. The Door [Original Version]
18. State Of Things [Demo]
19. By TV Light [Original Version]
20. Slack [Demo]
21. Starship [Demo]
22. The Road [Demo]
23. Mind Over Money [Demo]
24. The Optimist [Demo]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Turin Brakes   Primary Artist
Andy Newmark   Drums
Ben Davis   Cello,Bass
Gale Paridjanian   Guitar,Vocal Harmony
Little Phil Marten   Harmonica,Percussion
Will Soloman   Percussion
Olly Knights   Guitar,Vocals
Eddie Myer   Double Bass
Rachel Fulgoni   Violin
Phil Passera   Bass
Rob Alum   Drums

Technical Credits

Spacemen 3   Composer
Turin Brakes   Design,Composer,Producer,Art Direction,Layout Design
Al Stone   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Charlie Francis   Engineer
Frank Arkwright   Mastering
Gale Paridjanian   Composer,Group Member
Christophe Rihet   Cover Photo
Olly Knights   Composer,Group Member
Albert Pinheiro   Engineer