Mojo Birdsong Review * * * *
Their first for Alan McGee and Youth's label fulfils McGee's brief to "make a brilliant Blow Monkeys album".
On this thirteenth album, Robert Howard contemplates human impermanence and the aging process, but rather than a series of sorrowful ballads filled with regret, he's written what he calls "an up affair", with lyrics about remembering one's own self-worth and living in the moment. Recorded at Paul Weller's Black Barn Studio in Surrey, musically it covers a broad spectrum: The Penny Drops is a sophisti-pop croon, the kind he made in the '80s, with period sax solos and glossy backing. The title track, about positive connection with nature, is a slick rare groove with tart horns and carefree whistling. Then there's Walk On, Nothing Is Lost, full of giddy euphoria and pop in its most healing form. Lois Wilson, Mojo
The Penny Drops (Single)
The new single is out now. Listen on all the usual streaming platforms. Click below for Spotify.
Birdsong (Album)
The album’s release will be the first since the group signed to Creation Youth, the British independent record label launched by Alan McGee - the Creation Records founder who famously signed artists like Oasis, Primal Scream and My Bloody Valentine – and producer and Killing Joke bassist Martin ‘Youth’ Glover.
Recorded at Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studios in Surrey and produced by Dr Robert, The Blow Monkeys’ lead singer Robert Howard (aka Dr Robert) is backed throughout Birdsong’s ten-tracks by fellow founding members Neville Henry (sax), Mick Anker (bass), with Crispin Taylor on drums and additional musicians such as Mick Talbot , Gina Foster and Steve Sidelnyk.
Dr Robert & Matt Deighton
The Instant Garden
On the first day of spring 2025, we will be proud to plant, into your musical consciousness, The Instant Garden by Dr Robert (The Blow Monkeys) & Matt Deighton (Mother Earth, Bill Fay, Paul Weller)
Imagine - if you will - Fred Neil & Marc Bolan bonding over Five Leaves Left and you might conjure something close to the intimate beauty of this record.
Peter Capaldi
Sweet Illusions
On March 28th 2025, the new album from Peter Capaldi will be released. Sweet Illusions was recorded and mixed in 2023/2024.
It was produced by Dr Robert (The Blow Monkeys) and features 11 sophisticated and beautifully crafted pop songs.
Here is an amazing gallery of photos from our evening at the Cadogan Hall, London just before Christmas 2024. Thank you to everyone who came to this special celebration.
Photos are all copyright Lawrence Watson.
