CD: “Oak & Stone” by Savage Underdogs

As I’m writing this, my Border Terrier has fallen asleep next to me, and whilst he is neither savage and (in his eyes) definitely not an underdog, I do appreciate the tenuous link to there being a dog reference in the band name, and a dog in my immediate presence.

Anyway, I digress. You’re here to read an album review.

I listened to the opening track, “Sweet Sun Shining”, whilst on a train to London, the sun beaming through the window and as the first few bars hit my ears, I just leant back in my seat, closed my eyes and felt content. It’s that kind of song. I felt some Ocean Colour Scene influence in there (though, that feeling may have been influenced by being on a train). The harmonies on this track are great, and this is something that continues throughout the album. This is a song that you could sing along to with your mates, whilst watching this band play in your local pub, or at a festival as the sun just starts to turn everything golden. Certainly a well-titled track!

This head bopping, sun-kissed feel continues into the next track which again feels well-titled. “Station Road” feels like a song that both takes you on a journey and that you would put on whilst taking a road trip. Almost straight away, I found myself singing along with the “Just keep driving” and the woah woahs. Catchy stuff.

“What Did You Do” takes a more folky turn, with an almost sea-shanty feel. I found myself swaying along and again, felt that I could very much enjoy hearing this live, in a pub, cider in hand.

Speaking of folky, sea-shanties, the title track “Oak and Stone” is an a cappella track, again utilising those great harmonies, and layering the vocals in a powerful way. This track features the local Swanage band Kelp, whose internet bio states – ‘singing songs of the sea to anyone who gets too close’, which is just great, and I’m happy to get too close if it means I can hear more of that!

We then move to another great head-bopper “Valentina” which, lyrically, I was very drawn to. It made me stop and really pay attention to the story of Valentina and the fact I should have seen her. Throw an “arrriba” and some “hey heys”. Into the mix (which I did not expect), which put a smile on my face!

I think “California 99” is my favourite song on this album. It feels like a track that should be on a movie soundtrack, for that scene where the protagonist has decided to go on the road trip of a lifetime, the roof is down, the wind is blowing in their hair, they have their hand out of the window – you know the scene. It made me feel like that protagonist. I like the shift of mood two-thirds of the way through the track, where it gets a little moodier.

A bit more of a country feel to the next track “Walk All Night”, which continues that slightly moodier feel. The instruments used on this track feel very poignant and expressive. If only I was a musician so I could tell you what they are! It feels like album grows up and matures as we get closer to the end and this song definitely pushes towards that more emotive, serious feel.
“Millionair” is short and sweet, an old timey effect used along with the banjo (? – honestly, if anyone wants to educate me on musical instruments, crack on), really draws attention to the poignant lyrics and the heartfelt emotions that make this song.

I’m immediately struck by the underlying message in “No Kings Of Old”, which I feel echoes the sentiment that a lot of us feel right now. A nod to the environmental and political issues that face us all right now.

Yet another track that I find myself head bobbing along to is “Storm”. Again, great use of instruments to depict the thunder and lightning, without having to use sound effects or samples. I liked the ominous feel of this track, and genuinely expected the next track to be something a bit dark, as the songs have been building to what I thought would be a serious, epic crescendo, so imagine my surprise when it led on to…

“Mountain Fire” which was a sudden upbeat twist, great guitar hook, and a groove that made me want to dance. It felt like a great plot twist in the album, which might sound mad, but considering the story elements throughout the tracks on this release, I like to think was intentional. It felt like we’d gotten the serious stuff out the way, and it was ok to have fun again. Great ending to this song, it felt jaunty. I could imagine this being a floor filler.

I felt like I knew what to expect from the last track “Ballad of John Farmer”, and it certainly fitted into my expectation, with a slower pace, and a longer form ‘story song’. Done very well, with great riffs, and those lovely harmonies throughout. Felt exactly right to round things off – soft, heartfelt, and made me want to press play on the whole album again, to be taken back on the journey.

This feels like a perfect release for this time of year, with the songs starting summery and then becoming more autumnal and moody towards the end of the album. Clever work!

Track-Listing
Sweet Sun Shining
Station Road
What Did You Do
Oak and Stone (Featuring Kelp)
Valentina
California 99
Walk All Night
Millionair
No Kings Of Old
Storm
Mountain Fire
Ballad of John Farmer

Links
https://savageunderdogs.uk
https://www.facebook.com/savageunderdogs

Article by Sarah Lovegrove