Beans On Toast
Wild Goose Chasers
BOT Music
We love Beans On Toast and we were very excited to hear their upcoming release. It’s described as quite different from what they have released before. An album recorded solely of vocals and piano and brimming with charm. We couldn’t help but feel it was almost like listening to a modern day Cat Stevens (currently known as Yusaf Islam). The poetic lyricism paired with the enchanting piano feels reminiscent of some classics of times gone by. The songs despite some of the deeper subject matter feel like a summer’s day, and very welcome in the cold and dark we’re living through at the moment both figuratively and literally. Jay McAllister has a voice like no other, you can recognise it without hesitation. His ability to take you into his world through his thoughtful lyricism is awe inspiring. Playing what is described as an “ancient piano” we have Matt Millership and the pairing of them both together couldn’t have been any better for what they wanted to convey with this album. The first track ‘Away With Words’ opens purely as a piano track which cleverly leads on as a continuation to the next ‘Faith In The Moon’ a beautiful love song about life. ‘The Midas Touch’ sounds so jolly, the piano really shines and you can’t help but smile when you hear it. The name gives a nod to the mythological theme which has influenced much of the album. ‘Variety’ sings of how variety is the spice of life and that we all have different opinions. ‘Boring Dystopia’ mixes it up a bit and is a slightly faster pace. It’s a hopeful sounding song about leaving behind the current state of society. A common theme touched on in songs throughout the album is about finding your purpose, looking into yourself and in so many words following your heart. Like many great poets, McAllister invites the listener to think a little differently about things. ‘Tell Me Why’ sounds like an old school show tune opening with lyrics “why does the mushroom make you stare into the sky? Is that a cosmic journey in the corner of your eye?” Those who are familiar with Beans on Toast can harbour a guess as to what they may be alluding to in this track. ‘Glorious Fool’ is a jazzy little number. The piano really does add an extra bit of sparkle to these songs, especially here. McAlister’s singing has a bit of an edge to it in this one and even lets out a little woop here and there. ‘The Bee’s Nest In My Pebble Dash’ is an absolutely gorgeous song about animals and nature. Everything about it is so captivating and moving. You can envision what McAllister is singing about in your mind’s eye with the perfect melodic piano to accompany it. ‘Before The Flood’ is so whimsical while slightly bleak but of course in true fashion, still full of hope. We close with ‘Fairy Tale Ending’ another piano number. What can we say about ‘Wild Goose Chasers’? Magic is still alive and well in music. We expected to be moved by Beans On Toast as they have a knack for that but they have hit the ball out of the park with this one. Everything about this is ethereal, beautifully enigmatic and distinct. It’s incredibly moving and an absolute delight to the senses.
Review by Aggy Gillon