I am one of those strange people who don’t own a television, so Robbie Cumming’s naval exploits on BBC 4’s Canal Boat Diaries have largely sailed past me. However, when reviewing his latest album, Choons Volumes 1 & 2, that’s not necessarily a bad thing and means I can approach this record without the televisual clutter clogging up my mind’s eye. Featuring 22 tracks influenced by his sanguine sojourns, these “choons” capture the very essence of narrow boat life, and collectively they provide a moment of calm from the incessant buzz of modern life.
The first that jumps out when spinning this disc is that it could only come from someone in total step with their surroundings, and that becomes most evident on opening track, ‘Testing The Water’. It has a rhythmic quality that gently ululates like waves and fractures evening sunlight in every direction. Robbie lives on the water full-time, and he has taken inspiration from his environment; canals (obviously), nature and industry. Each of these songs has a very different heartbeat, and it is to Robbie’s credit that he’s captured each and shaped them uniquely. For example, ‘Windy Biscuits’ has a decidedly Zeppelin/Convention folky feel while ‘Swash Knuckle’ has an organic Kraftwerk vibe (if they’d spent their time hanging out on canals).
Recorded aboard Robbie’s vessel, the basic technology employed only serves to add to the rustic quality of the album. I’m sure Robbie would be first to admit that he is a music fan before a composer, yet his (largely) self-taught editing skills only add to the charm; like life itself these songs often end abruptly (‘Regal Junction’), and with little warning, which in turn adds an air of authenticity. Similarly, he doesn’t prescribed to any preconceived ideas of what a song should be; some barely break the two minute mark, while others are allowed to grow and run a natural course. However, what stitches the album together is the evocative nature of each track; every song is like a musical postcard that Robbie has inscribed with scenes from his various journeys and mailed to you with affection.
Such is the hypnotic nature of Choons that you might find yourself zoning out whilst listening (so it’s not recommended if driving), that’s not to say it won’t hold your attention – quite the opposite – but, like all the best music, it has the ability to place you in a completely different mindset. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect a thrash-fest with this release, but if you like your music to chug along at a steady rate of knots, then Choons is for you.
- Choons Volumes 1 & 2 is released via Absolute Label Services on 14th April 2023.
- Official Website
Track List:
- Testing The Water
- Windy Biscuits
- Fatal Position
- Collard Steam
- Abundant Territory
- Swash Knuckle
- Black Enemy
- Cranking It
- Regal Junction
- Eiffel Cower
- Grey Fears
- Go Back To Bed
- I Don’t Want To Go Home
- BOAT WAVE
- Florist Youth
- Tidal Turn
- Little World
- Setting Fare
- Past Presence
- Drastic Festival
- Lacking Daisy
- Relaxed Agents
