SINGLE REVIEW: LOST HOLLOW - MOVING ALONG / BUTTERMARKET

If memory serves #TEAMw21 well, it was a certain Amy Westney who first drew our attention to an upcoming band playing at that years C2C called Lost Hollow. It was to prove a good tip, and we would have great fun at The Bedford for their album launch for the excellent "Looking For Happy" which would turn into a splendid family affair. Sadly Covid put paid to a prospective tour with Rumer and since then it has been relatively quiet, with one half of Lost Hollow, Tommy Harden, in constant demand for his percussive skills.

A sign of a return to active duty is their new single called "Moving Along". From the opening fast paced drum beat to Lorrie's "ooh" ing intro there is an immediate sense of urgency established. It is one that will be enhanced with the lyrics fired out at machine gun pace!

Written with a couple from the UK, Rachael Warwick and her husband Christian Yuill, this is a confident sounding single that comes with a vibrancy that many a young band would struggle to keep up with. It is sassy, emboldening and it is expressing the views of someone who has had enough and is not going to take any more.

"Moving along - It's time to give it up

Move me along, I've finally woken up

Why you're lying to me, and trying to deceive in everything you do

Well the blindness is gone, and I'm moving on, I'm finally on to you!

While it was just percussion and guitar supporting Laurie for the opening verse, the second verse ramps up the volume and there are quick bursts of organ that appear in the mix to great effect. The delivery remains rapid!

"Moving along - ain't happening fast enough

Your love has gone, the shining has turned to rust

All the ducking and diving, the silent surviving

Is through and I've had enough

All the pushing and twirling the spinning and swirling

This crazy dance is done"

As relation break ups go this is pretty definite

The chorus maintains the powerful back beat and sees Lorrie's vocals backed with additional harmonies in something of a powerful wave sound with the words stretched like elastic.

"Moving along, the love is gone

Leave me alone

Moving Along"

The final verse takes no prisoners.

"Moving along - your next stop is at the door

I need you gone, you can't be with me anymore

You're a page that I'm turning

A bridge I've been burning

Soon to be part of my past

There'll be no more discussion, disfunction or fussing

This last chance was you last"

There is still time to squeeze in a quick guitar break before another crack at the chorus. If you like Lost Hollow, this is a truly storming return you won't want to miss and if you are unaware of them - now is the perfect time to find out.

Presave Link - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/losthollow/moving-along

Their first return to active duty was the single "Buttermarket" - named after the historic street in Warrington featured on the cover, this is another masterful single full of jangly guitars and keyboards, driven at pace once more by Tommy's drumming.

In contrast to the earlier single this is a total opposite, someone wanting to get home to see their partner.

"I have travelled around from town to town

And I've seen all the sights there are to see

I have roamed thru the world

But I'm a one man girl

And I know where there is one who waits for me"

Spiritually uplifted by Lorrie's vocals, and perfectly complimented those little sections of piano and organ, this is a three minute classic.

The verse tells of a life well lived and the story behind this song written by John Frampton is not specifically linked to that picture. The tune was originally a B Side on a single by Poacher, and is about John's adventures with Poacher and the joy of coming home. Lost Hollow have revived this song from 1980, changed the sex on it and made a cracking version.

"I have tasted the Seine

Seen sweet Oklahoma rain

And I lived half of my life beside the sea

I've seen the Presidential seat from fifty thousand feet

With the sights of heaven lookin' on at me"

The joy of comng home is perfectly capture in the verse.

"He don't like me going away

So I try not to stay too long

And I hope and I pray

There'll soon come the day

When I'll be home in Buttermarket again"

So an excellent double barrelled return to form, which will see Lost Hollow play a sold out UK show in Warrington in November. Always a joy to catch live, keep an eye out for any further UK shows - satisfaction guaranteed.