“This is the fourth time I’ve reviewed this goddam [sic] record. The first three attempts were successfully discarded on completion as I realised I was being unfair to Mr. Coyne. Less unfair each time, it’s true; but since he is a man who so obviously lays his integrity on the table, then the least any potential critic can do is to respond in kind.
Nevertheless, it is a flummoxing album still, but I now believe that in time everything will fall into place. Coyne’s work is not readily approachable, and at the beginning it was only the beautiful, lyrical single “I Believe In Love” that stood out.
My initial resistance to the other tracks has melted away with repeated playings, however, and I’m not prepared to say that it’s one of the most fascinating albums of the year, and a worthy successor to the ambitious Marjory Razorblade…
…One’s enthusiasm is stirred first for the tracks that utilise more instrumentation and really open the throttle right out, such as the opening “River Of Sin”, which begins with some nefarious cackles of laughter and is swept along — in full flood, as it were — by some cutting slide guitar from Gordon Smith, with some very committed bashing from house-drummer Chili Charles. It makes you wish he had been given full-time employment…
…”I Believe In Love” [is] a song of pure magic that includes an insidious organ, some complementary back-up voices and the most buoyantly euphoric lyrics I’ve heard in ages — “I was so lonely / all the time / Now I’ve found worlds that rhyme / No cliches — I’m running wild / I’m a poet — I can sing, better than you thought / The black dog has left my door”. (What will the Meltzers make of that? Yevtushenko? Led Zeppelin?)…
…When the basic guitar sound embellished, it’s done really tastefully, such as the strings on the title track and the recorders on “Sign Of The Times”. Every track, indeed, is thoughtfully produced. There are many more delights, which only become discernible after several playings. For example, the way Coyne pronounces “honey” in “I Believe In Love” is just a gas. I’ve just played the whole thing again. Yes friends, this is a great album; but give it time — you know it don’t come easy.” – Bob Woffinden (1974?)
Kevin Coyne
Blame It On The Night
MegaUpload Download Link
Tracklist:
01. River Of Sin
02. Sign Of The Times
03. I Believe In Love
04. Don’t Delude Me
05. Wanting You Is Not Easy
06. Take A Train
07. Blame It On The Night
08. Poor Swine
09. Light Up Your Little Light
10. Choose
11. Witch
12. Right On Her Side
