Album Review // Black Country, New Road // Live at Bush Hall
4/5 stars
"Look at what we did together/BCNR, friends forever!" There's a lot of lore attached to Black Country, New Road — like their lead singer leaving abruptly before the release of their last album, or the fact that their de facto new album, Live from Bush Hall, accompanies a concert film featuring performances stylized as school plays. But if one ignores all that and boils down the band's attitude into a single lyric, it would be that one. That life-affirming chorus feels directed towards former frontman Isaac Wood and the band's fans, a reminder that no matter what you're going through, it will never overshadow the goodwill you've built. It's a bold move to release a live performance as a new album, but occasional banter aside, it's hardly noticeable; Live at Bush Hall feels like a natural extension of Ants From Up There, and that should relieve fans that were concerned about Wood's departure. With the exception of the stunning "Turbines/Pigs," the songs here are shorter while still capturing the dramatic energy of mid-aughts indie-rock albums (Arcade Fire's Funeral, Sufjan's Illinois, etc). By rotating three vocalists, BCNR presents a collection that is cohesive while varied; while some of the songs may lack the memorability of AFUT, it all comes together with a reprise of "Up Song," the opening track that most fans will greet with a smile and a sigh of relief.
