SINGLE REVIEW: ADAM SWEET - MORTUARY BLUES
Not often that we start with a few disclaimers but here goes, despite the cover looking eerily like some sort of video nasty from the seventies, there is absolutely nothing ghoulish going on here, it is in fact where Adam Sweet's recording studio and the blues described are very much the 21st century problems that in one way or another, affect us all. After producing one of the years best singles so far in "Backstop", this is a contender in a totally different way as Adam and his band hit the blues and hit it loud - so turn up your speakers and enjoy"
Just from the opening few seconds with the band getting ready to start, the guitar just feels loud, the organ sound is brimming with energy while the drums are waiting to be given a good thwack! It is fully fifteen seconds before Adam finally kicks off the introductory riff in a very Joe Walsh seventies style.
"Too much month at the end of the money
Got to work three jobs, it ain't even funny
Gonna be home late, don't wake up honey
Cos there's too much month at the end of the money"
It's a brooding opening verse sound wise, the band are very much supporting the guitar lead but feel as if they are waiting to be unleashed, yet when they are on the chorus, it is to make a quite restrained blues soul sound. It also sees Adam lyrically taking the longer fiscal view that things will somehow get better!
"Don't sweat it, just spend it
We'll make this work somehow, you'll see
Are we living or surviving?
Cos our time has no guarantee"
The final line is informed by a poignant reality with Adam having seen a couple of close musicians depart long before their time over the last few years.
The second verse are very much 21st century first world problems, the sort of things that arise at the very moment you least want and can afford them to.
"Monday morning, parking ticket
TV licence? - I'll tell you where to stick it
Good lucks in shortage
I need to shake a magic money tree
Can't get me a mortgage, but I got me a mortuary"
Coming out of the second chorus the band are given free reign, there's a spectacular Hammond organ solo that is so full of character, Adam's guitar is allowed to wander and the percussion becomes just that little more prominent.
There's even additional female backing harmony vocals from Alex Hart and Phoebe Jane that all go to make this so enjoyable.
With things climatically ending all of a sudden, it just adds one more knock out blow, on a single that punches well above its weight and is a definite contender!
