My Life Story
The Golden Mile
Having had my eyes opened to the goodness of My Life Story, there wasn't much hesitation when I found a used copy of The Golden Mile in a store. This is MLS's second record, Joined up Talking being the third, and there are differences for sure. The Golden Mile is much more orchestral, more pompous or baroque perhaps. Or a bit more of fairytale feel if you want to put it that way. I don't want to rate it compared to JUT, but this one does stand out even more from "standard" pop music. Strings, I like those strings! Other bands bring in a string quartet to put on a track or two or, even worse, use artificial strings and stuff. No worries about such pathetic attempts here. MLS has a full string quartet within its ranks, and those guys are naturally catered for properly in the songs. But it gets better! Just to make sure there's enough power in the sound, this twelve-man band brought in an additional twelve instrument players (five of which are on strings). Should suffice better than a lowly synth, right? It does.
The Golden Mile is a disc you can put on when you feel the need to counter excesses of stripped-down electronic music or guitar-based pessimist-rock. Too much sugar for some people perhaps, but the rest of us can float away in it into a world of stronger, brighter colours for a while. A world with excessively beautiful sunrises and sunsets, colder, snowier winters, greener springs, deeper loves and bitterer partings and darker nights. Theatrical, that's a good word for it!
My Joined up Talking-disc had Sparkle on it, but somehow it wasn't until sometime around when I got this record that I really fell for the song. It sounds a bit warmer here, but that can't be the whole reason. Anyway, for a period of time it was in my head all the time, especially when I was on my bike going somewhere. It's those strings I think ... While the effect may have worn off a bit (just a bit, mind you), Sparkle still feels like the song that is My Life Story.
All your fault Bonnie, thanks again!
Back to Joined up Talking!
