At the risk of being accused of being, you know, all blokes [and a few women too] can relate to the sentiment of the title of ‘Babe, So Now Why No?’ but more importantly, it’s a football chant, folky, boiler room of a track that’s got that brass on, a bit of accordion and vibes. It’s the top tune from the album for instant gratification. But wait, Jonquil are not really that sort of band.

If you’ve already got Sunny Casinos you won’t be disappointed as they continue their more ambient cinematic instrumentation.

Tracks like ‘Shore’ and the glorious tinkling sound scape of ‘————’ are worth the album on their own. And then ‘————’ merges effortlessly into the sea shanty of the title track ‘Lions’ that makes you think it’s the same as their debut (which it is). And then, after a few listens, you get it that Jonquil have produced a more mature album (bearing in mind their ages range between 18 and 24).

‘Whistle Low’ is another with that sea shanty indie folk mix (reminding me of the Rogue’s Gallery) but the best of the lot is the Neil Young Harvest Moon quality of ‘Magdalen Bridge’.

After reading the first chapter of John Peel Sessions, you just know Peel (in a certain period) would be championing this band and the other recent releases on Try Harder like Blanket’s Blankit and the EP collaboration Honey Slides by Adam Ganade and Youthmovies.

Instead of Studio 4 at Maida Vale, it’s been BBC Radio Oxford that have been got Jonquil “In session tonight” in the past. Good to see that Huw Stephen’s is supporting this album at BBC Radio 1 HQ and The Wire magazine picked up on ‘Sudden Sun’ on their last cover disc promotion (always excellent value when they do that).

Definitely one for fans of Tunng to get to grips with but you feel it won’t be long before Jonquil will be the name to drop.

Hectic Mix nominations: ‘Magdalen Bridge’, ‘Babe, So Now Why No?’, ‘Whistle Blows’, ‘Lily’, ‘————’, ‘Lions’,

Reviewed: Jonquil -Lions (Try Harder Records) Cat. No. WORK008 CD Release Date: 8th October 2007
Tracklisting:
1 Lily (5:02)
2 Sudden Sun (4:12)
3 Keep It In Keeping (1:37)
4 Pencil, Paper (5:48)
5 Babe, So Now Why No? (3:38)
6 ———— (4:13)
7 Lions (1:56)
8 Here’s To The Little Man (3:57)
9 Subtle Strains (5:21)
10 Magdalen Bridge (4:34)
11 Whistle Low (3:13)
12 Sleep Like Pudding (4:46)
13 Shore (3:28)
14 I Don’t Need Advice (2:14)

Links:
www.myspace.com/jonquiluk
www.myspace.com/tryharderrecords
www.tryharderrecords.com
Huw Stephens :: Thursday 13 September :: Bestival Special
Jonquil — Sudden Sun (Try Harder)
Rob da Bank :: Monday 8 October ::Tunng In Session
“Hear Tunng’s fifth session for Rob, including their cover of the dance classic Take Me Dancing Naked In The Rain”
‘Bullets’, ‘Take’, ‘Naked In The Rain’