Dan O’Farrell and The Difference Engine dwell in a hinterland somewhere between “local band produces unexpectedly good album” and “famous band produces a lo fi rootsy album”.
This is their fourth album and an improvement on the last one I heard, “Richard Scarry Lied To Me”, so for all I know it’s their best yet.
Bands often pretend to dwell in splendid isolation, living on thin air and dreams for the sake of their art, when in fact they earn good money in graphic design and write songs in their conservatories. Digging around, I find that Mr O’Farrell is a teacher of English, which makes a lot of sense, as the lyrics are the best thing about this. The music is far from being a bland vehicle to deliver the lyrics, however, and there are some decent tunes on here.
Mr O’Farrell (all teachers have to be called Mr, it’s the law) has a nice turn of phrase. For example, in “The Colonial Club”, he sings: “And you’re not racist but / you don’t see what all the fuss is / in institutional injustice,” about the sort of bloke who asks “When is Straight Pride?” and “Don’t all lives matter?”.
Opener “Heartbreak Hostel” is a good starter, easing one into the music – not sure what it’s about, as my only beef is the teeny handwritten lyrics – but the jaunty “The Colonial Club” follows, an early standout.
“Cyanide Desire” is a lively tune, with synth as brass band giving it some depth – the music for a Christmas movie as the hero walks around town pondering. “God Etc” is more good lyrics, the narrator talking to Jesus in a speeding car, noting: “You’d be a thrill seeker yourself / If you had immortal health.” The song also takes in the devil and some angels – their feathers make him sneeze.
The gentle “Alarm” seems to be about a failing relationship – Mr O’Farrell spends a lot of time comparing relationships to poisons, go figure, Mr Freud – while “Hang Me On The Wall” combines dramatic musical shifts with rather bizarre lyrics.
Standout is “Loss”, a song about a departed loved one – his dad, apparently. It’s both a really catchy tune (I’ve had it as an earworm several times) and has excellent lyrics describing the many moments of missed opportunities when a close one dies, from sharing memes to slagging off television programmes. The only relief is at night “’cos we’re chatting in my dreams”.
If a famous folk band made this, it would be hailed as a refreshing work of genius, but as it’s just a band from Hampshire (album launch in Southampton, so I’m guessing) it may well disappear without making many ripples. This would be a shame, as Mr O’Farrell can write a tune (indeed, can write an earworm) and The Difference Engine are all good musicians – it’s a regular band except they use a double bass, which gives it a more intimate feel.
“Loss” is good by anyone’s standards, but there’s not really a duff track on the album, just a lack of expensive production.
Fans of singer songwriters / folk / roots / poetry / singing English teachers should head to here.
JMC
