"...a sound thats been long missing from British music these days." (INDIE AND EVERYTHING AFTER)
"...psych folk classic in the making." (BUGBEAR BOOKINGS)
" Ambrose Tompkins has managed the art of making an album that I have been longing for without knowing. Are You Well? is the best album I have heard in a long time. 4/5." (GROOVE)
“Theres a surely to Ambrose Tompkins Are You Well? That makes it hard to believe its only their first long-player.
Its a confidence thats perhaps born out of the Leicester trios history: far from being a flash in the pan theyve been releasing split singles since 2004. Their patience may well have paid off because theres a strong bluegrass influence on tracks such as "Shes My Friend" and "All Things Peachy".
Despite them swapping and changing between zither, mandolin, banjo and guitar, however, it would be a mistake to lump them in with the scene. They may benefit from the mini-revival its enjoying but their reference points are far more widely scattered. "Just 3 Things" is The Beta Band transported back thirty years, while "Pathetic Race" touches base with Gomez experimenting with eastern drones, and "It steals My Eyes" is all Willy Mason folksy blues.
Theres a dark undercurrent to many of these tracks and an occasional world-weariness to Robs vocals. The minimal harmonies and arrangements nonetheless give them a rustic warmth and as bird song fades out album closer "So, No", this sentiment is sealed without them having to resort in tweeness. 4/5." (ROCK N REEL)
“Old school pastoral psych with scratchy drawings: province of Robyn Hitchcock, Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers-lovable (frequently), laughable (but not in that sense) and very liveable. The lettering on the back cover is identical to old Sentridoh records.” (EVERETT TRUE, PLAN B MAGAZINE)
"Leicester-based trio make like a Midlands version of The Band on their debut album and explore and expand on traditional English folk music with a psychedelic tinge. This is a growing and glowing scene in the UK (with Tunng politely leading the charge), and Ambrose Tompkins are a welcome and bewitching new addition. The choice of instruments (xylophones, madolins, zither, banjos) give this a twinkling charm and, beneath it all, are cocksure and beautiful songs." (EAMONN FORD, FIVE EIGHT MAGAZINE EDITOR)
"Released on Leicester-based label For the Sake of the Song, Are You Well? is the eminently loveable debut by four-piece Ambrose Tompkins.Taking their cues from classic English psychedelia, pastoral pop andlilting Americana, the quartet pack a mighty sixteen tracks into fortyminutes of pure listening pleasure. Indeed, there's a sense of maturity which is far from common on rookie offerings such as this – the gorgeous arrangements and soaring harmonies suggest a feeling of ease with their situation. The folk-blues of It Steals My Eyes sounds like it should have been written by a band of far more advanced years, yet the intricately weaved patterns are intoxicating. Somebody to Someone, deftly picked and with an understated, plaintive vocal, perfectly encapsulates their combination of melodic pop songs with psychedelic whimsy, while the accordion-led bonus track hints a twhat might be yet to come, and is reminiscent of a lost Tindersticks composition – deliciously filmic, it could be on the soundtrack to a Jean-Pierre Jeunet movie. The sweeping Americana of opening track No More Black Times is simultaneously uplifting and melancholy, with a subtlety which servesthem well. An assured debut, this is the sound of a band hitting theground running. 4/5" (SIMON HARPER)
”There are some records to get the party started, and others to finish it. This is definitely one for the latter. Its a cool blend of folk music, indie and pop which is probably best served late at night with a few glasses of wine. It’s performed by an unusual three piece from Leicester who use instruments like mandolins, toy accordions, banjos and glockenspiels to create their amazing sound.
Underneath all the layers of music is some great song writing – including tracks like She’s My Friend and A Box Of Sun. They say there’s nowt as queer as folk but this is fab. 4/5" (MARK CHARLTON, LEICESTER MERCURY)
"Ambrose Tompkins are one of those sickeningly talented bands who seem to have sprung fully-formed from the womb. They've actually been releasing singles and EPs for a while now, but this is their first album… and very nice it is too.The trio from "the gloomy Midlands" (their words) produce melodically rich, blink-and-you'll-miss-them slices of spooked folk and lo-fi psych-pop. There are some notable influences, but the overall sound is very much their own. And with tin can and floorboards joining the likes of 100-year-old zither, accordion, banjo and mandolin in their musical mix, there's even a trace of the jug band.Much of this album sounds like twisted lullabies or some kind of pagan evocation. It would make a great soundtrack to the goings-on in a commune somewhere. But even at its most far out, it never forgets the power of a strong hook. There's no unnecessary farting about: it's all killer and no filler, and quite right. After all, The Byrds rarely broke the three-minute barrier and they were geniuses.Opener 'No more Black Times' brings the spook factor (essential for good folky stuff), its harmonies and surging organ are reminiscent of the criminally overrated first Simian album, while the hymn like 'A Box of Sun' brings Gorky's Zygotic Mynci loveliness; and the repeated acoustic guitar motif of 'Somebody to Someone' is like the prettiest bits of The Beatles' White Album.The ghost of the Incredible String Band crops up from time to time and every now and then, there's a touch of the sub-continent in some tunes' droney insistence. The production is great: warm and lo-fi without being muddy; and there's hardly a wasted second. Are You Well? creates a mood really quickly and soon has you trapped in its hazy sonic bubble. However, it doesn't inspire much of an emotional response, beyond 'nice tune'. But there's plenty of time for fine-tuning: this is a damn fine debut album from a band well worth keeping an eye on." (BEN WOOD, BEARDED)
Purchase 'Are You Well?' from the Forthesakeofthesong shop:
Download from iTunes/Other
'All Things Peachy' (As part of FrameDropFilms Home Sessions)
Wonderful stuff, I love it! Alas, Ripped Trout isn't really a going concern at present, or long since, otherwise would love to get involved. All the best, Andy
¿QUÉ CANCIÓN ESCOGERÍAS COMO PRIMER SENCILLO? / WHICH SONG WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS OUR 1ST SINGLE?
¡Hola a todos!
Ya estamos a punto de sacar nuestro primer disco, y hemos decidido consultaros qué canción escogeríais como primer sencillo del mismo: la más pegadiza, la que os guste más, lo que piensan vuestros amigos...
Recordad que podéis escucharlas todas en nuestro perfil.
¡Deja tu comentario en el blog y lo tendremos en cuenta!
¡Un abrazo!
Kool
Hi everyone!
Our first CD will be released soon, so we would like you to give us your opinion on which track should be our first single: which song you like the most or think is the catchiest one...what your friends think, etc.
Now you can hear the complete CD on our profile.
Leave us a comment, we'll take it into account!
Peace!
Kool
You are a bleeding legend, thanks for the CD, sorry couldn't talk much but glad to hear your having a great time in Hastings. I got married in Canada last month which was amazing! I'll hope to catch you at the 13th August gig in Leicester. take are man!
Tune in to episode 12 of the Lantern Society Radio Hour, featuring the creme de la creme of the capital's most comely crooners. Stunning live performances beautifully captured for your listening pleasure, at London's Finest Folk Club, The Lantern Society.
And, why not join us for the next Lantern Society - Thursday 18th June.
The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, London. EC1R 3BL
Hello ambr0se t0mpkins. This is our first headline London show for a very long time, to celebrate finishing our new album which will be out later this year. So come on down and have a good time with us.
...and of course don't forget London's Finest Folk Club, The next Lantern Society - Thursday 7th May at the Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, EC1R 3BL. Neartest tube Farringdon.
hello rob, hows thangs? sorry i ruined your once in a lifetime opportunity to lunch with neil young, beck and the foo fighters in 1997. oh well. i still love you.
Hello ambr0se t0mpkins. The new episode of The Lantern Society Radio Hour is now on the air. As recorded at London's Finest Folk Club on 16th april 2009. Click the banner below to subscribe for free at iTunes, or simply use the player to tune in.
....
And do come along to the next installment of the Lantern Society at The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, on Thursday 7th May.
Upcoming shows: 15-17 May - Wood Festival, Braziers Park, Oxfordshire. BUY TICKETS
18th May - Spectacle Records Presents: Your New Favourite Bands at Catch Bar, 22 Kingsland Road. Shoreditch, London. HEADLINE SHOW.
STONE ROSES I Wanna Be Adored SHIELD YOUR EYES Come On Melissa Are You A Kisser IMMACULATE MACHINE You Destroyer STILL FLYIN' Hounted Houses ART BRUT Alchoholics Unanimous MIABEANE & THE ASTHMATIC SCENE Brannigan Ago Go MIABEANE & THE ASTHMATIC SCENE Chapel Gravel MEAT PUPPETS Foreign Lawns AU REVOIR SIMONE Another Likely Story LAWN Downstream AMBROSE TOMPKINS Keep On It SANTANA Head Hands & Feet [Drum Solo] GRIZZLY BEAR Cheerleader BROKEN FAMILY BAND Stay Friendly ELITE BARBARIAN Clips PERIOD PAINS Spice Girls [Who Do You Think You Are] --------------------------------------------------------------------- WEBSITE : www.popscenewithjalal.com MYSPACE SITE : www.myspace.com/popscenewithjalal --------------------------------------------------------------------- POPSCENE with J*A*L*A*L Radio Weser [Bremen/Germany] 92.5 FM [antenne] / 101.85 FM [cable] Fridays at 18 hrs [since 1994]
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