Tilly & The Wall - Bottoms Of Barrels

Incessant tapping isn't life's most pleasurable sound. But when it's created by the rhythmic feet of Tilly & The Wall it becomes a captivating privilege. And on the release of 'Bottoms Of Barrels' the Omaha quintet have followed up the resplendent gazing of 'Wild Like Children' with an altogether more cantankerous record. Genuine moments of wonderment are still to be found on tracks like Sing Songs Along, but there's an edgier sense of purpose to this chasmal offering. Bad Education deploys militant clanking and Eastern European instrumentation to startling effect, creating a swaggering spasm of energy. Whilst the joyous Urgency resembles Jonathan Richman freaking out to a tap-dancing gypsy-folk sing-along. Tinged with melancholy, 'Bottoms of Barrels' sees a soul searching child beautifully maturing in a world of heartbreak and sorrow. Sounding braver and bolder than ever before, Tilly & The Wall may have finally tapped themselves into the mainstream. [Billy Hamilton]