Initially Bethan And The Morgans’ debut album didn’t grab me. The opening track, ‘It Won’t Be Today’, begins with acoustic guitar and Bethan Edwards’ voice and my instinct was that I’ve heard it all before. It’s well done but…
Midway through that first track James Rhodes’ electric guitar kicks in and Bethan exchanges the sweet little voice for one with a bit more edge and we’re motoring. The other Morgans are David Ross on guitar and vocals, Lauren Bennett on double bass and vocals and drummer Dan Foster. There are guest appearances from Steve Sheldon and Robert Mcintosh one of whom plays banjo on ‘Something New’ but I don’t know which.
By the time we reach ‘Changing Every Day’ the band has really hit a groove with bowed bass and sparkling acoustic guitar – from Ross at a guess – and the record is flying past. I really like the way Bethan And The Morgans arrange their material with tricksy nods to other things – ‘Parted Ways’ sounds as though it’s about to burst into ‘Ghost Riders In The Sky’ but never does. The title track, ‘Oddity (Out Of My Head)’, throws everything into mix: slightly disjointed drums at the beginning, snarling bass, a touch of electric guitar and a powerful vocal line from Bethan.
Oddity isn’t my usual thing but it’s very well done and really rocks when it gets under way. I hear that Bethan And The Morgans are excellent live and I can well believe it.
Dai Jeffries
Artists’ website: http://www.bethanandthemorgans.com/
‘Go Away’ – the official video:
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