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| Matt Berry - Witchazel Self-released March 2009; Acid Jazz, 2011 Recorded at Matt Berry's Home Studio, London, UK Produced by Matt Berry |
Most people will know actor/comedian Matt Berry for his roles in the TV series The IT Crowd and Toast of London to name just a few. Little people know that alongside his acting career, Matt Berry has also been writing, releasing and performing his own eclectic brand of music. Drawing influence from sixties and seventies folk, progressive rock and electronic music, Berry's take on these often ridiculed genres stands shoulder-to-shoulder alongside any of his comedy work. Berry's music is enchanting, ambitious, and unlike anything around at the moment and deserves to be recognized and applauded.
Witchazel is Berry's first album on the Acid Jazz label (he self released Jackpot in 1995 and Opium in 2008). Recorded at his home studio, Berry impressively plays the majority of the instruments himself. Officially released on vinyl in 2011 (was available as a download on his website in 2009), Witchazel conjures up whimsical images of the English countryside, with lyrics concerning pheasants, maypoles, badgers, and the like. Berry mixes common psych-folk subjects with his own surreal word play, wit and charm. There is a darker element that lurks beneath the flute-jigs and woodland dances that makes this an intriguing, slightly disturbing listen. The darkness can be heard especially on songs like 'Accident at a Harvest Festival' in which Berry tells a strange tale of a gruesome gun incident and the frightening synth breakdown/spoken word section at the end of 'Take My Hand'. Most of the songs are connected together with small instrumental fragments, gluing together this brilliant and bizarre trip through the strange and imaginative world of Matt Berry.
The song 'Take My Hand' is one of Berry's most well-known tunes. It has become a bit of an underground anthem as Berry used the song as the theme tune for his award winning series Toast of London in 2013. An upbeat piano-led song, 'Take My Hand' has ridiculously catchy lyrics and melody, both crucial ingredients for creating a joyous opening to the record. Not only does the song highlight Matt Berry's melodic abilities, but also his production and musical engineering skills. Berry incorporates various moog synths, brass, strings, bells and the odd glockenspiel, all perfectly mixed together to create a lush and dreamy ambiance - a sound which underpins the entire the album.
Following 'Take My Hand' is the wonderful breezy folk tune 'A Song For Rosie'. A catchy lyric combined with an almost nursery rhyme-like rhythm make this a really memorable moment for me. Berry tackles many more styles on Witchazel, including a blistering take on 1960s garage rock. 'So Low' opens with a pulsating, yet primitive piano riff, which really drives the song along. 'So Low' is one of the more punchy pieces, enhanced by some fuzzy organ and guitar work which wouldn't sound amiss on the well-known psych compilation Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era.
Berry's most progressive rock moment though is the 8 minute epic, 'The Pheasant'. The song begins life as a strange folk number, but quickly evolves into groovy late 1960s psych song with a twangy guitar riff reminiscent of 13th Floor Elevators or Jefferson Airplane. However, Berry keeps the listener on their toes by doubling up the riff with a synthesizer (think Rick Wakeman circa 1973!). Immediately, the song is back in the English prog rock vein which emphasizes Berry's uncanny ability to fuse styles and sounds effortlessly. My favourite section of 'The Pheasant' is the beautiful acoustic guitar mandolin interplay at about 2'45. A stunning descending bass melody, with lovely textured acoustic playing is a clear nod to Mike Oldfield's more acoustic moments on the seminal Tubular Bells. 'The Pheasant' follows a number of melodic, rhythmical changes throughout, which challenge and excite the listener. After a period of musical chaos, the song resolves, reaching its climax at the 7'30 mark with an epic synth fanfare - one Jean Michel Jarre would be proud of! 'The Pheasant' ends where it began with the strange folk section, concluding arguably the albums musical centerpiece.
I'll admit, the album is a bit weird in places and takes a few spins to get into, but that only adds to the depth and layers that are uncovered on each listen. What I love most about the album is it doesn't take itself too seriously. It is by no means a comedy album or a parody. Berry does, however, recognizes the serious and pretentious nature of the music and is not embarrassed to incorporate the more ridiculed elements on Witchazel. Proggy folk-rock is undoubtedly the music he loves and what he enjoys writing and performing and this passion is evident throughout this album. Although probably not my favourite record of his (I think that goes to the sublime Music for Insomniacs - but that is a debate for another day!) Witchazel is a great LP and a clear homage to his musical heroes, and gets better and better with every listen!
Key Tracks:
Take My Hand
A Song For Rosie
So Low
The Pheasant
If you enjoyed this album, check out:
Matt Berry - Kill The Wolf
Fairport Convention - Liege and Lief
Yes - Tales From Topographic Oceans
Mike Oldfield - Hergest Ridge
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