“feels like the closest thing to evolution in the Beans on Toast catalogue”
Beans on Toast is as regular as a German train schedule. Sod Christmas, it’s nearly December and that means a new album from everyone’s favourite Essex-born poet-come-drunk-come-poltical-activist-come-hippy. But if you think this is more of the ‘three chords and the truth’ Beans of old, you may well be in for a shock…
In actual fact, parts of this album feel the most musically adept of any Beans on Toast album. Extinction No.6 is so soulful that the Marvin Gaye estate are rumoured to be lining up a lawsuit. Logic Bomb starts with a slinky, funky guitar riff that feels suitably Chic, and Truth Be Told shows distinctive remnants of time spent with Skinny Lister in the summer.
The second half of the album is proper, old school Beans, to boot. Proving that this is not just a musical coming of age, Beans really excels on Lost Poetry Department and Take Your Shit Home With You, where poetry and storytelling are brought about in abundance. Actually, one of the nicest bits about these two tracks are the lack of political outburst.
It’s an unusually turbulent political landscape that we are living in, but it all gets to feel a bit heavy after a few songs. Not that it’s uncharacteristic, but it does leave you feeling like you’re listening to the rambling drunk in the pub.
Ultimately, this album feels a bit muddled up. I, for one, want to see Beans take on the soulful, funky image presented therein, in greater depth. It feels like the closest thing to evolution in the Beans on Toast catalogue, only marred by the slightly sharp lyrical content. Slightly off-kilter, if full of promise.
Dig through and you’ll find the gold here, and just hope and pray that this musical evolution continues into a new era for Beans on Toast.
I feel a bit odd leaving the review there; slightly unsatisfied. But life goes on. And on and on and on and on and on. Life goes on.
Fans of Beans on Toast can listen here.
The Inevitable Train Wreck is available from Sunday 1st December.
UK fans can see him live at the following dates:
DECEMBER 2019
04 – READING Face Bar
05 – GLASTONBURY Boca Bar
06 – PLYMOUTH Junction
07 – SWANSEA Garage
08 – STROUD Prince Albert
10 – GUILDFORD Boileroom
11 – CAMBRIDGE Portland Arms
12 – DERBY Venue
13 – NORWICH Arts Centre
14 – BEDFORD Esquires
18 – SHEFFIELD Leadmill
19 – STOKE Sugarmill
20 – LIVERPOOL Phase One
21 – COLCHESTER Three Wise Monkeys
JANUARY 2020
31 – BRIGHTON Chalk
FEBRUARY 2020
01 – BRISTOL Trinity
05 – SOUTHAMPTON The Loft
06 – CARDIFF The Globe
07 – LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
08 – BIRMINGHAM Castle & Falcon
09 – NOTTINGHAM Bodega
12 – NEWCASTLE Tyne Bank Brewery
13 – EDINBURGH Old Dr Bells Baths
14 – MANCHESTER Gorilla
15 – LONDON Dome
