Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
It is very unusual that a band revisits an album so soon and especially one as loved as “The House Beyond the Fires”. With only two years between that album and this reinvention you wonder that maybe it is too soon but as you will find very quickly this one works so well.
Gone is the distortion, gone is the sheer rawness which I can understand some may hate as this is what the band is known for be it on record or live. There have been many revisits by bands that just do not work but this is stunning.
We get to really hear the message behind these songs. The stripped back nature leaves the band with nothing to hide behind and the focus is purely on the songs and the incredible talent of these two incredible musicians.
The boys may not be my favourite band but I never pass up a chance to see them live and every single time I am in awe of what those two can produce sonically on stage.
If you love the original release be prepared for something very, very different. There is no point on me going through all these songs as if you are here you probably already are aware of them but this album was a real eye opener for me.
The piano renditions of “My Nettle”, “Dance to the City” and “White Knuckle Riding” are utterly stunning. Ally Dickaty takes a deep breath and focuses all his usual trademark energy into his vocals and boy oh boy do they shine.
“You’re a Killer” becomes an Indie style anthem and “There Ain’t No Future” reverts back to the piano theme running through the album but instantly grabs you with a power that is built on atmosphere and incredible songwriting.
“Lies,Lies,Lies” sounds like a Billy Brag call to action whilst “When the Lights go Down” kicks off like Dire Straights but this is a version straight from the soul and it sounds exquisite.
“Veteran Soldiers” was one of my favourite tracks originally and this one is outstanding with its huge church organ opening and the brutal truth lying within its lyrical content.
“Beyond the House of Fires” will always be tagged as a reinvention but this album stands alone and is as bright as a lighthouse beam. This album gives me a whole new sense of respect for the band and a superb addition to their catalogue.
The whole idea came from the boys love of MTV’s unplugged shows and they want to take this album and concept on the road promising shows like you have never seen before from them. The UK tour starts next week in Edinburgh so if they are playing near you do not miss them as this will be exceptional. The full dates are below:-
28 May – Edinburgh – The Mash House
29 May – Northwich – Salty Dog
30 May – Wolverhampton – The Giffard
31 May – Leeds – Hyde Park Book Club
1 June – Barnoldswick – Barnoldswick Arts Centre
4 June – Tunbridge Wells – The Forum
5 June – Norwich – Waterfront Studio
6 June – London – The Grace
7 June – St Albans – The Horn
ALBUM OUT NOW ON ALL PLATFORMS https://www.thevirginmarys.com/store
More information: https://www.thevirginmarys.com
