Admiral Fallow – Tree Bursts In Snow

Album Review by Chris Buckle | 02 May 2012
Album title: Tree Bursts In Snow
Artist: Admiral Fallow
Label: Nettwerk
Release date: 21 May

Admiral Fallow are a success story to warm the most jaded of hearts, their measured ascent possessing the kind of slow-burn, grass-roots momentum that can’t help but cheer those observing from below. Tree Bursts in Snow is a safely (but assuredly) judged next step, with a bid for the major leagues polish that ingrains some pedestrian elements, but otherwise brings out the best in them.

Louis’s lyrics continue to embrace a populist sentiment built for communal choruses, with The Way You Were Raised, for instance, anthemic in both message (onwards and upwards) and delivery (Springsteen via Auld Reekie). Elsewhere, key words include ‘conquer’ and ‘courage’, suggesting a band unafraid of aspirational urges. Musical affinities with Frightened Rabbit remain, and there’s a strong chance that the oft-remarked-upon stylistic comparisons will translate into similarities in success. When you consider the FRabbits’ profile leap from Sing the Greys to Midnight Organ Fight, Admiral Fallow’s triumphs seem set to snowball.

Playing Edinburgh Queen's Hall on 21 May; Dundee Fat Sam's on 22 May and Anerdeen Lemon Tree on 23 May http://www.admiralfallow.com