Words - Suzy Sims
(c) Suzy Sims, April 2009
LOZ BRIDGE AND THE BOX SOCIAL 'WITCHES' EP
Sometimes it’s nice to find some compelling music that you can just swim around in with scant regard to your surroundings. The curiously-named Loz Bridge and The Box Social can help you do just that. Described by pretty much everyone who’s read their press release as ‘dark Americana’, Loz is originally from Preston but decided the South Coast was more deserving of his musical output.
Opening track ‘Witches’ is the story of being trapped on the wrong career path and left chewed up and spat out by office politics; let’s face it, we’ve all been there. “I hate my job,” everyone sings along, and you can’t help but wonder if the any of the band’s bosses have caught them play and moronically didn’t pick up on this. This song is heavy with a downbeat swagger but there is surprisingly some life and optimism – they aren’t giving up just yet - and pent up anger.
‘November’ is a melancholic yet warm old friend with some delightfully clear vocals, while there are some powerful key change hooks in ‘Sarah And The Wolves’. The music seems to have a dual-purpose, fitting both the Sunday morning feeling of being lost in your own thoughts, and feeling equally at home in a dark pub.
If you held serious pre-conceptions about music featuring banjos, please shove them well to one side. Angry banjo and bluesy vocals strike on throughout ‘China’ while closing track ‘By The River’ delicately plucks along. It’s the place.
The blues is a trustworthy genre. With pop and dance you can give or take what you enjoy, but blues and folk are made to be savoured slowly and appreciated. There’s a wisdom to Loz Bridge and The Box Social, a sense of understanding. This CD finishes on a haunting echo of “I might have known.” Intelligently written and mellow, ‘Witches’ makes for compelling listening.
http://www.myspace.com/lozbridge
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