The following article was submitted via Facebook by Marie Rousseau:

Rinse Me Down – Bombay Bicycle Club Rinse Me Down – Bombay Bicycle Club (Buy)

Indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club’s sophomore acoustic album Flaws is an exploration into the world of folk, the London trio choosing to craft delicate songs woven through by tender finger picking. This is a definite step away from their previous album, which featured a string of catchy indie rock tunes.

Over the course of listening, one comes to wonder whether lead Jack Steadman’s quivering voice is more suited to the latter than the former. Nevertheless, clever lyrics and soothing melodies render this album a pleasurable listen.

Fairytale Lullaby, a John Martyn cover, is a honeyed mix of banjo and a catchy chorus singing “And if you want your friends to come, then bring them all along…” Jewel and Word By Word, Nick Drake-esque sounding, resemble a slow flowing river in that they transport you slowly downstream while poppy ballad Rinse Me Down brings you to again.

Meanwhile Ivy and Gold is upbeat with singing banjos that leave you wanting to join along.  Lastly title track Flaws is the contrasting combination of Steadman’s voice with that of a female vocalist to draw out the mournfulness of its apologetic lyrics:

“The life of a selfless man/’Cus out of all the flaws I’ve stumbled on/It’s the hardest one to focus on…”

The only possible complaint is that this album presents no surprises, its folk melancholy present throughout, although it is true that the album in and of itself is a surprise when confronted with their debut… Overall, an interesting folk reconversion to be heard.

—–> Bombay Bicycle Club on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace <—–