Valedictory Songs

• Artist: The Bevis Frond
• Rating:
• Release Date: December 12, 2000
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Valedictory Songs is no farewell. It marks a graduation of sorts for the Bevis Frond from the psychedelic bubbling and gurgling guitar experimentation of previous albums to crunchy psych-pop with an emphasis on straight-up songwriting. In addition to the band's characteristic Hendrix-ian fanfare ("Can't Feel It" and "Sugar Voids"), Valedictory Songs presents a wealth of styles for a seriously mind-altering trip. Nick Saloman's keyboards and vocals on "By the Waters Edge" along with Ade Shaw's thick bass groove give the song a bluesy, garage vibe. There are feel-good Beatles melodies here too ("Early Riser" and the sitar jam "Artillery Row"), Nick Drake-esque folk-rock (the pretty melancholy of "High on a Downer"), and new wavy power punk ("We Are the Dead"). These eclectic tunes flow together to make one of the most satisfying psychedelic albums you're apt to find. The culmination is "Portobello Man," a story of future archeologists' discovery of "the bones of Portobello Man." This is a definite contender for the best under-heard song of 2000. To nostalgic strumming and piano, Saloman asks, "But then isn't freedom part of everybody's plan?" Put on some big, vintage headphones and throw Valedictory Songs on the stereo. You'll have your answer and your freedom. ~ Charles Spano, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Godsent	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(4:22)
By the Water's Edge	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(3:34)
Early Riser	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(2:48)
Let Them Beautify You	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(3:11)
High on a Downer	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(4:47)
Artillery Row	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(3:59)
We Are the Dead	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(4:20)
Portobello Man	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(2:29)
Can't Feel It	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(7:00)
Sugar Voids	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(3:45)
Back on My Star	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(3:26)
The Speed of Light	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(6:09)
Old School Rock	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(4:09)
Child	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(6:01)
Living in Real Time	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(2:44)
China Fry	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(5:25)
Confession	Nick Saloman	The Bevis Frond	(3:12)

Credits

Colin Andrews (Engineer), Adrian Shaw (Bass), Gordon J. Wooton (Cover Design), Nick Saloman (Producer), Bari Watts (Guitar), Nick Saloman (Guitar), Andy Ward (Drums), Nick Saloman (Keyboards), Nick Saloman (Vocals)