Trevor Ludlow and the Hellraisers: Experts

Trevor Ludlow, he's my brother and though I'm biased, I rate his new album highly. It lifts my spirit, even with the first track stating 'you're not in love anymore', I know that I really am (with this album)! It's a cracker folk/pop album with a touch of surf, a little lounge and country vibes to boot.  Trev and his Hellraisers have done a splendid job, as has Trev's eight year old daughter, Clementine, who gets a thumbs up for the expert cover art too.

I have no insider details about the songs and I don't intend to intrude on or divulge personal details, so I have interpreted the songs from my own perspective.

'The hour is getting late' is suggestive of troubled times, but is also lighthearted and beautiful. This song includes the words 'love will never be your friend', a rather harsh sentiment, suggesting perhaps a touch of resentment. The heart of the perpetrator is not in a good place, having sunk to watery depths, pretending and defending it's cause. With the kingdom burning down at the temptation of fate, there is still, perhaps, a glimmer of hope that everything is going to be okay, in the words 'while the hour is getting late...it's still a beautiful day' and while change is inevitable as darkness falls, it has all been worthwhile.

'Spoiler Alert' is an upbeat song that perhaps bears witness to the committed goal of an inter-personal union. Though you look at a horoscope or go to bars in search of love, the answer is right in front of you and 'I'm gonna get you in the end'.

'Experts' is a jangly little number, with a bonus tinkle and gorgeous harmonies. It makes me want to squeal with delight along with the higher pitch of the guitar. Here we may be given the opportunity of 'floating out of time', to daydream, when perhaps, it would be more beneficial to concentrate efforts on getting things right. I feel a lament that what is achieved is never quite what we set out to do, resulting in something a little less perfect than aimed for.

I happen to know 'Shadow' is inspired by Clementine's observation of her shadow on her walk to the train station as a toddler. To her young mind, it seemed to be a separate being that follow her as she walked. This song could be interpreted as a reflection on the mysteries of life, or of believing something that is in fact something quite different to our understanding of what is really there.

The surreal 'Sleepwalk with me' quizzes us on whether life is as we generally see it, or is it just a dream? 'Is the dream's dream just a dreamer in an isolation tank'? Who's to know. But we are invited to explore possibilities together.

'Undertow' perhaps suggests that you don't always get what you want. You may enjoy floating, but to get pearls, you need to dive below. You may be caught in an undertow, but in over-riding the chaos, the afterglow is twice as nice.

'Aubergine' and 'Andromeda' are instrumental interludes that offer a little taste of something new, with influences stretching between surf and lounge genres. They add some spice to the album, which as a whole, is sweet and delicious.

'I'll slip away' may be suggestive that the need to make a splash to get the attention of the one you admire, is perhaps, in hindsight, not the best way to make a good impression. It may be that after trying and failing, the energy is not so readily available, but I feel it is more suggestive of the fact that we grow wiser as we age and realize that pizazz is not what really counts. It might get attention, but it is substance that allows a tangible bond to form. On the other hand, as we get older, we don't have the energy to stay up all night partying until the crack of dawn, we have responsibilities, aches and pains.

'Baby, I'm on fire' is, undeniably, just where Trev is at and this album is proof indeed that his fire is roaring. It is a warm and bright offering and is bound to offer happiness and comfort to anyone who cares to listen. There is no sign of hell in this record. Far from it. It's quite heavenly. There's a lot of love and a little heartbreak, along with a combination of innocence and wisdom. Trev reminds us of earlier bubblegum-pop incarnations, such as The Melniks and Small Fantasy, but he has matured since then, as has his sound.

Trevor Ludlow and the Hellraisers, I must agree with the album title, wisely picked: experts you really are.

The Hellraisers are:
Trevor Ludlow - vocals, guitar, keboards, percussion
Robert G De Lisle - lead guitar, keyboards
Chris Pickering - bass
Jeremy Cole - drums
Tahnee Elliott - backing vocals

For further details:
Take a listen to the tracks here:
https://trevorludlow.bandcamp.com/

The album can be purchased here (orange vinyl or CD):
https://www.facebook.com/trevorludlowandthehellraisers/