John Hassall & The April Rainers is the followup to 2017's 'Wheels to Idyll', which picked up critical applause on its release. Uncut Magazine described the album as “a Laurel Canyon- style bucolic rock voyage, with Hassall’s hushed tenor voice cooing over CSN harmonies, wistful major-sevenths and Robbie Krieger-ish guitar explorations.” Whilst Mojo Magazine raved “a long-player of mellifluous, melody soaked psychedelic pop. Hassall’s tune-fulness rarely misfires and the homely, nostalgic charms never wear out their welcome.”
Most of the songs were cowritten by John and longtime poet collaborator Steev Burgess exploring memories of school days, journeys and adventures, fading dreams, ancient empires and even somebody’s trinket collection. Burgess who has known Hassall for many years, wrote the lyrics to lead single 'Miracles', a sort of Ballad of John and Line. Libertines band mate Peter Doherty is also involved with a co-writing credit on 'Doing Time'.
Speaking on the album, John says "These 10 songs are the ones that survived, grew and took on a life of their own. There's no way of telling if a song will make it until the end. 'That Pale Lantern' in my opinion, started off as a rank outsider and then turned into one of the strongest songs on the album. Lessons were learnt from Wheels to Idyll and a new musical development runs through it. Whereas the last album was recorded pretty much live. The new album maintains similar classic songwriting and pop sensibilities, though with more complex arrangements and production.”
Most of the songs were cowritten by John and longtime poet collaborator Steev Burgess exploring memories of school days, journeys and adventures, fading dreams, ancient empires and even somebody’s trinket collection. Burgess who has known Hassall for many years, wrote the lyrics to lead single 'Miracles', a sort of Ballad of John and Line. Libertines band mate Peter Doherty is also involved with a co-writing credit on 'Doing Time'.
Speaking on the album, John says "These 10 songs are the ones that survived, grew and took on a life of their own. There's no way of telling if a song will make it until the end. 'That Pale Lantern' in my opinion, started off as a rank outsider and then turned into one of the strongest songs on the album. Lessons were learnt from Wheels to Idyll and a new musical development runs through it. Whereas the last album was recorded pretty much live. The new album maintains similar classic songwriting and pop sensibilities, though with more complex arrangements and production.”
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: Another slice of sunny jangle-pop, rendered beautifully by John Hassall of Libertines fame, recalling The La's or early Coral mixed with soaring 60's psych. Beautifully evocative and wonderfully intricate indie-pop.TRACK LISTING
1. Miracles
2. Doing Time
3. A 45 to 1967
4. That Pale Lantern
5. Silver Crucifixion
6. Last Lover of the Summer
7. A Land I’ll Never Know
8. Shaded Roman Eyes
9. Winter Term
10. Leaf-lined Song
