01. Utopia Bypass 1:16
02. Out Of Babel 3:07
03. Sirba 2:32
04. Where Has The Money Gone? 3:02
05. The Stork Crossing The Dudley Canal 4:42
06. The Glass Coffin Burial Of Professor Zurinak 3:31
07. Cavalcade 5:04
08. The Case Of The Dangerous Flamingo 3:57
09. The Flying Kopanitsas 7:46
10. Questa Canzone 3:45
11. Methuselah Mouse 3:55
12. Torregaveta 4:22
After witnessing the eccentric glory of The Destroyers‘ live show back in June, I must confess a certain trepidation when I received my advance copy of the Birmingham folk-punk collective’s debut album, Out of Babel. How could a recording compare to such an energetic whirlwind of sound and colour?
Well, actually, it compares rather well. Out of Babel is a highly polished affair; Paul Murphy’s sinister opening monologue “Utopia Bypass” sets the stage for the wildly theatrical single “Out Of Babel”. Later, “Sirba” begins in a blaze of brass, like a call to arms, and explodes into um-pah beats and clarinet solos, while “Questa Canzone”, with its suave Italian songwriting and charming vocal melodies, is a simply stunning piece of musicianship.
The abundant and intricate instrumental runs, and Murphy’s rapid flickering between growling bard and howling conductor – a dual personality particularly evident in “The Glass Coffin Burial of Professor Zurinak” – combine to create an album that never quite steps out from the shadows. Instead, Out Of Babel taunts you with a flash of skin, like a dancer from a shop window in a part of town you don’t quite feel safe in. It’s an exhilarating experience, but leaves you feeling seedy, right up until the refreshing gypsy-blues of album closer “Torregaveta”.
I could go through every single one of the dozen tracks, and explain to you exactly why it works, or I can give you a simple truth: The Destroyers could well be the best band you hear this year. Without a doubt, they’re certainly one of the most interesting acts the UK has seen in a long time. Go out and buy this album. You won’t regret it.
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