Review: Conil – ‘Strange Part Of The Country’

Listening to debut album ‘Strange Part Of The Country’ by the emotionally driven Conil, you get a feeling that this singer/songwriter literally bleeds his heart dry after every song. Powerful, gritty and a drive that most solo artists lack nowadays. Full of heart and emotion which pushes this album along and makes you live this man’s pain.

We start with opener and title track ‘Strange Part Of The Country’. Conil throws you off a little bit when this song starts. Gentle opening harmonies that edge towards MOR but then the guitar crashes through and his gravely voice just rips through the soul. A song which talks about new surroundings and outcasts. Powerful with full band arrangement which is very well constructed.

It’s like a proper emotional roller-coaster with Conil. ‘Years Between’ is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Emotional but with a hint of apathy that makes you feel for the guy. Sweeping string section and a big chorus that has this tremendous euphoric feeling throughout, exuberance to the highest degree. We then move onto one of my favourite tracks on the album, ‘Stoned’. Driving riffs and damn right filthy vocals that Mark Lanegan himself would be in awe of. This song has a hint of QOTSA to it and to Conils credit, makes this track an absolute joy to experience. ‘I think I get stoned, stoned, stoned’, a simple sentiment but its a roaring one that deserves your attention.

That roller-coaster starts up again with the very gentle ‘Bonediggers’. A haunting soundtrack which chills you to the bone when you hear the first minute of it. Then a build up of climatic noise fights through to then get you back to where you started. ‘Dog Meat Stew’ almost has an anti-capitalist feel to it. Politically driven lyrics behind a riff heavy guitar track. A touch of double bass and swampy drums, gives it a southern rock feel which I totally dig. Which leads us nicely into ‘Grapevine’, with its big chorus and thumping drumming. Conil’s strongest point are those vocal chords of his, they just open up and give his songs such an edge, it puts him ahead of any other singer/songwriter out at the moment. We close with ‘After The Hole’, a very subtle but beautiful track that makes you listen. Its spaced out blissful-ness with dark vocal harmonies entwined amongst a touching string section.

Its harsh and beautiful all at the same time. ‘Strange Part Of The Country’is a triumphant album that explores deep sounds and makes you wipe away a tear. Driven by emotion and a very talented songwriter. Conil is not your average man with a guitar that whines about nothing. If you want that go see James Blunt, Conil is the anti-Blunt. He is something else and deserves your absolute attention, for when February comes round you must buy his album, if its the last thing you do.

You can find out more info on Conil here http://myspace.com/conilmusic

Peter Cornish-Barlow