Felix Fables are heading back to Paris at the end of May, where they will be busking everyday in Montmartre and gigging in venues around the city in the evening.
Felix Fables one of our favourite bands – have an inimitable hard-hitting sound. Their unique stomp draws from elements of Americana, Blues and Indie and is over-scored by soaring four-part harmonies. Conjuring up thoughts of beauty and raw grit, the band’s electrifying stage presence challenges themselves and their audiences to have a far better time than anyone would believe possible.
Following on from their magnificent debut album ‘In This Town’ (released in 2011) they have since been working very hard – gigging all over – and creating a new 6-song EP titled “A Little Rain.”
We had a listen, and here’s what we thought:
Starting off with ‘A Little Rain’ set against shimmers of golden light cymbal, and the most delicately picked guitars, this EP gets going rather cautiously. A tremulous voice creates a delicate lattice-like unfolding of lyrics, images and elegant whispers. Like all FF songs, this has a big presumptuous heart. So, if you look up the blustery sleeves … you will find another song crying to get out. This new song grabs you by the braces and twirls around the room. You really will feel relieved – especially towards the end – when the refreshingly thumped culmination gloriously overwhelms the sensitivity of those early whimpers.
With an artistic misquoting from the ‘Merchant of Venice’, ‘Shadows In Her Soul’ starts with the highest and most fascinating yowl you may have ever heard. The sound sends a shiver up your spine – which reverberates all the way down to your tubes. The banjo suggests a well-worn path – a dusty road perhaps – and country ditch creatures as only friends. The pale yellow moon fades. And the night draws in. Then the song clamors and jangles until it is a full tin-can orchestra. Full of life and mystery. This song is absolutely excellent. Brimming with passion and forgiveness.
‘Angry Son’ has that cut-smoke bitter emptiness to it that we could associate with Dylan. The ticking drums match the loose-string guitar-work and the pigeon-toed vocals that step carefully across the cracks. The percussion is clear – but fascinating – and it never takes attention away from the softly spoken voice – and in fact it adds charm and mystery of its own. This is a wonderful song. With a charming melody, very thoughtful words and inspirational vocals. And the sumptuous finish is so hot – it will boil your brusket.
‘Devil’s Winter’ is as subtle as a dragonfly wing. Featuring the mournful soprano vocals of Georgia Mason (the band’s former singer) – the voice may not be to everyone’s taste – the song is, however, an extremely ambitious hymn that perhaps makes the case for cold sense over loss.
The band has been bashing out ‘Find My Way Back Home’ at concerts recently. The spectral guitars (reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac) – and the stomping beat – soon gets inside your head and plays games with your adrenal cortex. Before you know what you’re doing, you’re pulling up your trouser legs, tucking in your socks, and dancing away on the slates. Your hobnails ticking on the surface. And for sure, it is not enough to just love this song. You have got to live it too.
– © Neil Mach May 2013 –
Link: https://www.facebook.com/felixfables
PARIS GIGS:
Monday 27th May
Les Deux Moulins – Rue L’epic Montmatre
https://www.facebook.com/events/249093695233309/
Friday 31st May – E.P. Launch
Au Petite Moulin – Montmatre
https://www.facebook.com/events/512346822157258/
Sunday 2nd June
Corccorans – Montmatre
Last night Madness
https://www.facebook.com/events/513827378675620/
