MONEY – Shadow of Heaven

When one is aware and intelligent enough to comprehend the depth and complexity of the grandiose questions, then surely taking the option not to address this cerebral mosaic is...
Money : Shadow of Heaven
9.0 Bella Union
2014 

Money : Shadow of HeavenWhen one is aware and intelligent enough to comprehend the depth and complexity of the grandiose questions, then surely taking the option not to address this cerebral mosaic is an artistic transgression. Love, God, loss and salvation are all topics that need to be addressed if truth is to emerge; most choose not to, as the collision with these behemoths can cause irreparable damage and fallout that can destroy and/or change the artistic direction forever. Shadow of Heaven attempts and mostly succeeds in this challenge, but when released in the United Kingdom last year it caused judgemental criticism of such polar opposites that had not been seen since the early days of The Verve, with a range of comments from “ponderous and self-indulgent navel gazing” to “a near masterpiece of a debut”. The central focus of the whole album is the soaring choral virtuosity of Jamie Lee’s vocals, which seems at its pinnacle to be on the verge of cascading down with a vulnerability and tenderness that only adds to the majesticity of the songs. The yearning for answers and direction is expressed in such a way that they know that salvation and explanations will never arrive, but they are compelled to ask anyway.

The album consists of piano ballads such as “Good Night London”, which addresses sexual ambiguity and lost love, and “Black” which as the title suggests provides a closing track which is both unsettling and bleak but with a beauty that is full of intensity. The closest MONEY get to a traditional pop arrangement is found on the title track and also “Bluebell Field”, but with its darkness and yearning it is still aeons away from the mainstream. The ethereal nature of the album it is at its zenith with “Who’s Going To Love You Now”, an almost Cocteau Twins pastiche with Lee hitting the same vein as Liz Frazer in his vocal phrasing. Lyrically the album is a master class that most debuts could only dream of aspiring to and “Hold Me Forever” is the track where this shines the brightest, with its contrast of wanting to be loved but ultimately with time even this becomes as tedious as any mundane repetitive act. Of the other tracks, “Cruelty of Godliness” stands out as an almost mature older brother of The Stone Roses, while “Elizabeth My Dear” with its simplicity and choirboy balladry.

MONEY are not from the cosmic musical centre of the United kingdom that is Manchester but are at this moment based in the city. The Manchester band syndrome always sparks an interest that few other cities can generate, but this also demands a certain return on the faith that its musical heritage provides. On the evidence of this glorious yet beautifully flawed album Money are prepared to take on the world and the heavens above, and with our faith I believe they can conquer both.

MONEY – Shadow of Heaven

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