Named after a fan favourite Hold Steady B-Side it's no surprise that singer-song writer Steve Millar has delivered a delightful duo of vocal led gems that evoke the feeling of the Springsteen influenced bar band, The Gaslight Anthem or Chuck Ragan. Whereas these aforementioned acts may be the epitome of a nostalgic American dream, Steve produces songs that conjure the feeling of the rainy northern city of Manchester.
Lead track "Fortitude" is perhaps the most upbeat of the two musically with beautifully descriptive lyrics. It's a superb angst driven song where Steve's lyrics are impassioned and yearn to be sung along with, with plenty of fist in the air moments driven by the echo-ey drum beats.
Second track "Dagger Eyes" has a real Chuck Ragan tinge to it, particularly how it's paced and its vulnerability - it sounds like a song that could have been included on the legendary "Feast or Famine". It's very much stripped down in the first half with the vocal delivery providing most of the tone and melody. It feels isolated like a cold winters walk through dense woods during a crisp sunset; it's a truly remarkable feat to produce such feelings through song!
Finally the production of both songs is remarkable; every tiny detail is so vivid. Even more so the sheer epic feeling created by the drumming is very evocative of the production levels of Simon & Garfunkel's seminal "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album. Again this level of quality helps set Arms and Hearts above many contemporaries.
If you are looking for something to warm the heart in cold winter months this is a good shout and, even though it's only two tracks, it's one you'll repeat over and over again. Existing fans will no doubt lap this up, however if you are a fan of the likes of Brian Fallon, Frank Turner and Chuck Ragan this is one you have to check out!
Stream and download Fortitude here: https://realghostrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fortitude
Like Arms and Hearts here: https://www.facebook.com/ArmsandHearts/
This review was written by Richard Mair.
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