Tindersticks are an original UK indie band that gained a cult following in the early 90s with the release of their first couple of eponymously titled albums. Tindersticks is the band’s second self-titled album released in 1995.

Their distinctive musicianship and sound with the extraordinary and deep vocals of lead singer Stuart Staples made their music unique while addressing various topics in their songs including dark humor, relationships, romanticism and lovely orchestrations intertwined with their melodic vision. They have consistently released excellent music in both studio and live shows that have garnered them a loyal fan base till date. This review is for their second self titled album released in 1995, generally referred to as Tindersticks [II], is also one of the favourite albums of the author.

The album (a double LP) starts off with El Diablo en el Ojo that immediately exposes the first time listener to the musical style, lyrics and the one of a kind voice of Stuart Staples. Their third track My Sister displays the band's dark humor songwriting skills. An unsuspecting listener may be fooled into shedding a tear on the sad story in the track especially with the seriousness of the spoken delivery of the lyrics. This is followed by Tiny Tears that speaks of a relationship in stress and on the brink of collapse. Seaweed is a haunting and achingly beautiful musical piece that is leisurely and melancholy and reveals the band's genius in the design and construction of their tunes. This tune is also the mainstay in Claire Denis' dark movie "Nenette et Boni" for which she enlisted the band for the sound track. Travelling Light, the best song in the album is a gorgeous and stunning collaboration with the Walkabouts' Carla Torgerson that is focused around a man self absorbed and in denial about his past relationships that he can't let go of despite insisting that he is "Travelling Light”. This is an excellent atmospheric record that most listeners will enjoy once they acquire the taste of the band.

Tindersticks - Tindersticks (This Way Up - 526 303-1, WAY4177, UK)

Members:

Stuart A. Staples (vocals)

David Boulter (organ & accordion)

Neil Fraser (guitar) Dickon Hinchliffe (guitar & strings)

Al Macaulay (percussion & drums)

Mark Colwill (bass) Carla Torgerson (guest vocals)

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Juzer Kopti

Juzer Kopti, originally from Bombay and now based in the suburbs of Washington DC, is a music enthusiast who enjoys crate digging for rare records, his taste in music tends towards 60s-70s psychedelia, folk, rock, jazz, fusion and progressive and also enjoys collecting fountain pens, vintage cameras and mechanical watches.