Macwood Fleet: Favourite Albums of 2019: Pete Gow

Well, 2019 has certainly been a year of change in my household. And it looks as if it's the same in the musical world too.

Pete Gow, leader and songwriter of the superb Case Hardin has called time on the band which has coincided with the release of his debut solo album, Here There's No Sirens. The band go their separate ways with no animosity and leave behind 4 fabulous albums of intelligent Americana. Oh, and they were fantastic live too.

Cheap Streaks From A Bottle

So, main man Pete now finds himself as a solo artist. Saying that, he often played solo shows while still with the band and is an accomplished singer songwriter in his own right, as this album proves.

photos courtesy of Martin Tyler

Pete has taken the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands as he has used his debut solo album to change direction. Both in songwriting style and sound scaping.

Pete has enlisted the help of labelmate and multi-instrumentalist and producer, Joe Bennett of Dreaming Spires fame to help bring his solo vision to life. And he is integral to the sound of the album. Choosing to take Pete's new songs and present them in a stripped back, sepia toned presentation which is both sympathetic to the music and colours it when it needs it.

And at 39 minutes it doesn't outstay its welcome and leaves the listener craving for more. Just like albums used to be.

The album opens with the elegiac One Last One-Night Stand which sets the tone for the rest of the album. Confessional lyrics, piano, a small string section and Pete's acoustic guitar. It's a stately opener.

Second track, Mikaela, brings another colour to the palette with a gorgeous organ and brass opening up the sound even more while remaining beautifully intimate.

Pete's former years in journalism have created an inquisitive mind and a penchant for current 'affairs' which are touchstones for the next song on the album, the wearily bleak, Strip For Me. The song lifted by a lovely string phrase accompanying the piano.

strip for me

The album feels somewhat cathartic and I feel Pete is taking the opportunity to obliquely confess. It carries an emotional punch which I didn't expect following the last Case Hardin album.

The title track, Here There's No Sirens, my favourite on the album, is a gently epic slice of melancholia.

When I look back on the album after hearing it several times I get to thinking that in his future career this could be Pete's 'Nebraska'. Springsteen fans will get the comparison.

TV Re-Runs is probably the most 'Americana' track on the album. The genre by which Pete is best known. Again, sounding to me more akin to confessional Springsteen than the other 'Country' based artists that currently carry the Americana flag.

I bet the Nashville Massive are looking at this album with enviable eyes and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Pete gets the call in the not too distant future to fly over there to work with some of the Music City's movers and shakers.

One Live One Night Stand - the live show from the launch of the album

I Will & I Do is fleeting, harmonic and conjures those Laurel Canyon harmonies amid the sweepingly aching strings and brass. It's short and it's sweet. And it's just perfect.

The storyteller within Pete gets its chance to shine with the next track, Some Old Jacobite King.

I must mention here the immense contribution from Joe Bennett to this album. He is very much the power behind the throne on this record. Taking the same role as Marcus Cliffe does when recording his fellow Miracle Mile bandmate, Trevor Jones. The musical 'artist' whose production, string arrangements and multiple instrumental contributions make the record what it is. Indeed, the Jones records and this new album are very similar in approach and execution. Both very intelligently literate and emotional songwriters.

And the drummer to the the best of UK Americana artist, Fin Kenny on Drums & Percussion.

The Listener - by Veronica Casey

The album closes with the gorgeous Pretty Blue Flowers. A song as delicate as it's title. heartbreaking lyrics, Pete at his most confessional and music that pulls at your heartstrings.

You won't be pogoing or disco dancing to this record. Although you may be holding your loved one close and swaying to the rhythms.

It's one of the most beautiful records you'll hear in 2019. It's also proved itself to be the first salvo in what will hopefully be a fine second act to Pete Gow's musical life.