#adrian simon

However, the only reason for me to write this ridiculously long introduction was to compare the self-titled album by The Willow & The Builder with a beautiful golden necklace, since I thought that comparison would be so original. Last week I accidentally stumbled upon this duo formed by Richard Miron and Adrian Simon and I immediately fell in love with their folky, infectious indie-popsongs. Admittedly, their music is not of a groundbreaking new sort, but why would someone overdecorate a simple golden necklace, if it's already beautiful?

The first song (Teahouse Treehouse) starts quietly with Miron and Simon singing in harmony, before the song explodes into as a catchy, upbeat song, the chorus supported by the happy stamping of feet and group vocals: a song that probably even the grumpiest people can't dislike.

There's a similar 'sweetness' dripping through the entire album, yet it never gets too much. Some lines taste like cotton candy and the singers' young voices make everything sound so innocent, but let's not forget, I'm not some sorrow, old beachcomber**, so I actually don't really mind the sweetness - in fact, I love it: for example. Oh Willow! (Why Wallow?), a song with dancing bragginflies and bumble bees, is one of my favourite tracks. It's just, you know, I wanted to come across as a serious person, giving a finely tuned judgement... 

Besides, the haunting Heartache and moving Cut It Down already compensate for the sweetness and fill the lack of 'darkness' in the album, if darkness is something one can really miss. The latter song is by the way one of the best songs on the album, if not the best, including some lines that make me think of Regina Spektor's lyrics in On the radio (which is nothing but a compliment, for I love Regina Spektor - just don't focus too much on the video clip). However, my absolutely favourite songs on the album are Mansion Man and Rosaline, both sweet, catchy and touching lovesongs with lyrics that quite fit my 'if you love somebody, set them free'-mood.

If you're just like me, clicking on every link you stumble on (oh, hellish viruses, won't you just leave me alone?!), you've most likely already discovered that all songs are written around the theme The Willow & The Builder, something that has worked out very well. The subjects are therefore typical those that are relevant for young students and relatable for everyone. So, to conclude: you won't regret buying the album, or downloading it for free, on their bandcampsite. I'm a bit ashamed for not having bought it myself, but I still don't have a credit card/paypal account. As soon as I get (one of) those, the first thing I buy will obviously be The Willow & The Builder - the second thing probably a poster to finally replace the one of Jack Sparrow that's been hanging on my wall for years, framed and all: it's getting really pathetic.

*I'm really sorry, I don't want to seem prejudiced. I know beachcombing is not a sad way of surviving that's reserved for poor, lonely men. It's actually a perfectly normal hobby, just like trainspotting, collecting stamps and writing reviews that probably no one will ever read, except maybe someone, someday who likes randomly typing words into google. I definitely hope that person won't think of me as a damaged old button.