When Britain Was Great. European Sun

With When Britain Was Great, European Sun catapults me as it were into a fairly distant past. I can't even put my finger on it exactly in what decade I feel to be back with music; certainly decades ago. The music simply gives me that feeling. It combines the playfulness of the 1960s with the new wave and punk of the late 70s and the post punk of the early 80s. There's nothing nothing this album making me think that it was recorded only recently Except of course that this combination was pretty rare if even existent around 1980.

The label is far more straightforward and calls this music punk. That is a bit stark. Perhaps in the outset, intention and the lyrics. A track like 'Falling Down The Stairs With Arthur Seaton' does bring some reminiscing thoughts of The Stranglers because of that Farfisa organ, but that is as close at it gets, to my ears.

European Sun is Steve Miles with Ian Button (drums), Rob Pursey (bass) and Elin Miles (additional vocals). You also hear some other instruments throughout the album. Together they explore different sides to European Sun's music and Miles' ideas. They go from a poppy tune like 'Choice Paralyses' to pure poetry set to a minimal form of music, atmospherics. Over it all Steve Miles sings, although it is closer to a delivery like Ian Dury had, just more modest. A form of sing-talking that still is good to listen to. Elin Miles delivers background singing melodies, in a way someone like Tracey Ullman could have delivered. (Btw, I barely recognised her forty years later in a Nexflix series called 'Dark Doves'.)

Promo photo

I'll be honest, as I should. Had When Britain Was Great been released in a more busy week, I doubt if it had made it here. There are only three spots for an album reviewed by me each week and for that the first listening session wasn't attention grabbing enough. That said, I find myself playing the record regularly and enjoying it in general and enjoying its different sides and moods. Given half the chance, the album grew significantly.

With 'Dad', European Sun adds a song to the theme of (lost) dads. We have Stef Bos ('Pappa') and Doe Maar ('Pa') over here with their views on fathers. Steve Miles laments the loss and his dad not being able to see his grandchildren grow up. On the side of that lament, he points to the growing up of himself, as with age comes understanding and insight, he can't share any more.

Sympathetic, subtle and diverse, these words suit When Britain Was Great quite well. This album does not need more words. It is one that I dare to leave you with to explore for yourself and find out how nice it is.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order When Britain Was Great here:

https://europeansunmusic.bandcamp.com/album/when-britain-was-great-2