Fresh off the Summer Festival Circuit, Tom Williams & the Boat have gained the attention of major players in the music industry, including Radio 1′s new music guru Huw Stephens. On the back of that attention and a phenomenal five sets at Glastonbury, the band have just released their brand new EP See My Evil to critical acclaim. In a world of bubblegum pop the darkness that pervades Tom Williams’ songwriting at all levels is unique and refreshing. Admittedly, this darkness also means that they will be inaccessible for some who see music as being better when it’s easy, when it doesn’t challenge as ‘See My Evil’ does. Issues of pregnancy, suicide and taking money from your employer are just the tips of the iceberg when it comes to the controversial subjects the song examines, and for that the band must be applauded for their bravery. The song, therefore, is intimidating not because it is scary or dark, but because it is real, it speaks of events that happen regularly that shock and scare us in turn. In addition, the music fully supports this, it blends naturally, driven by the drum beats of David Trevillion it neither overpowers or undermines the lyrics, and this seemless synthesis of music and lyrics is yet another element that puts this band above many of their peers; it is so rare to hear the two compliment each other so well.
Accompanying track ‘Get Older’ also oozes anger, and starts with the foregrounding of the drums, but the music gradually becomes more upbeat and versatile than ‘See My Evil’. Despite the folksy sound though, they maintain their credence of being ‘anti-folk’ with the constant presence of Tom’s rough vocals, which could not be further away from the tone of Marcus Mumford’s soothing melodies that are currently heading up the folk revolution storming the charts.
Tom Williams & The Boat, then, put a shot of reality back into music for those wishing the music they listened to recognised the problems they face in their everyday lives. To fully understand click play below for ‘See My Evil’ or visit their MySpace for ‘Get Older’. If it rocks your boat (very bad pun intended! Sorry!) the click HERE for a free download of “See My Evil”.
