LIAM FROST is a Manchester singer songwriter with a five piece band about to do a UK tour. One EP and this single preview an album due in late summer.
Acoustic instruments and a cheerfully confident singing voice are always welcome. The 1960s templates (from Dylan to Al Stewart) are all getting plenty of attention these days and it’s good to hear so many young artists in the indie/pop field exploring the possibilities of simple expressive tunes and articulate lyrics.
But with all the groundwork well and truly done, the question is how much is being added? In Frost's case, where the first EP wasn't completely convincing, "Mourner's of St Paul's" takes a risk or two and sounds all the better for it. Frost exposes his voice and lets the emotions flow through a tensely effective tune. The production is exceptionally well done, with violin and drumkit adding depth and weight. Lavolta Records must be delighted with the work done by Danton Supple, producer of Coldplay's X&Y. Even listeners who don’t appreciate the subtlety of the songwriting will be drawn in by the dramatic and well shaded sound. "Mourner's of St Paul's" is a good song by any standard and (please, please) let it occupy some of the airwave spaces reserved for JAMES BLUNT this Summer.
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"Into Your Arms" is done with just an acoustic guitar. It’s crisply played and the pretty love song rolls nicely along. "Fever and a shifting" offers more like that, perhaps saving the fuller band sound for the album. Neither of these songs have the authority or conviction of "Mourner's of St Paul's". But in that one track we have a clear statement of what Frost can do, and it’s impressive.
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