Andy Bell – The View From Halfway Down – Sonic Cathedral

Andy Bell solo LP is out on Sonic Cathedral Records at last. Andy Bell is a guitarist who plays with Oasis and also his band Ride. October 2020 sees the release of “The View From Halfway Down”. To read about the first two singles and watch videos I have provided you with this link https://meatsheetfanzine.com/andy-bell-single-oasis-ride/

An interesting side note, “The View From Halfway Down” title is referencing in Andy’s own words, “the penultimate episode of Bojack Horseman.” However if Slowdive can name Souvlaki after a Jerky Boys prank call (anyone confirm?) then Andy could plausibly use Bojack Horseman. But that is getting off topic.

First song from “The View From Halfway Down” Love Comes In Waves is covered in the link above. I will say it’s fabulous and the guitar tone is aces.

The song and videos for both singles are candy for the eyes and ears.

Secondly, Indica which is nearly seven minutes of what Ride may sound like if Andy plays guitar, maybe bass, and programs the rest of the tracks. Heavy in electronic signal, but not mechanized. Indica whirrs to a start with and oscillated circuit noise. The beat is funky and bass holds a stone groove. The tremolo on the guitar (?) adds another layer to Indica. It rebounds in the chamber Bell creates.

This track shines in the light of all the dancy pop goodness that Bell’s peers achieve.

Notes and echoes of Screamadelica ( Primal Scream) and other classics from the same era and styles abound on Indica and at moments throughout the entire album.

Next is Ghost Tones. There’s a haunting quality about it as far as the tonality. The guitar picking is folky, could be a reverbed out version of Southern blues or a country music vibe. The vocal tracks run together and seem to have the pitch tweaked. This gives it an otherworldly mood. This track sounds like they were having fun and trying to add variety to the album. Ghost Tones doesn’t seem as riddled with pop or electronics as some other songs on this release. This makes it stand out.

Right after that is Skywalker. Pure pop goodness and very strong song writing.

Vocal melodies that will make the indie pop fans of mid to late 90’s swoon.

The bass line sounds like a RIDE bass line sampled and sped up but I could be wrong. Although there are some spacey effects that phase in and out this song is very direct. Andy Bell is not fucking around.

Aubrey Drylands Gladwell is a track title that just rolls right off the tongue. I don’t know why but I have deja vu when I listen to this as if it was a Ride b side. Instrumental. The percussion takes the spotlight before it fades off into nothingness.

Cherry Cola does not sound like SkyWalker but the quality of the poppiness and songwriting is right on par with it. The alternate sounding guitar picking and the cadence of Andy’s vocals and lyrics really seal this deal. The warm tones are cozy and slightly fuzzy. Anything I write seems to diminish these tracks. However they need to be heard

Andy Bell solo? He seems to pull multiple tricks from his hat and sleeve with finesse.

Next is I Was Alone. This one is covered above in the link but I’ll say this song was good on the first listen. I don’t know about the rest of you but I like this track more and more as I listen. I Was Alone, for me, gets better the more I hear it. It’s melancholy, but there is a glimmer of hope. The reverb, the vocal melody, the spaces between what is played is just as important as what Andy plays. He knows how to craft a song but also knows how to let it breathe. Again it’s best to listen and hear for yourself. So goto the link above and watch both videos. Finally the view is nearly complete.

Heat Haze on Wayland Road is an electronic joyride.

Inspired bass guitar opening that morphs into Casio like tones and shrill disco chirps. Picture the music for a really positive person you know riding their bike on a pleasant day.

Keyboard progression that comes in halfway reminds me of Yaz Upstairs at Erics. Bell reconfigures the past sounds into something that is his own. I am not sure what the heat haze that is referenced in title is but it doesn’t matter. Like all good things though, they end. “The View From Halfway Down” closes with a soulful horn and dying saw wave. Andy Bell will have fortune favor his bold decisions on this LP.

In conclusion, as much as I love RIDE, support artists doing other projects, (Check out Glok by Mr . Bell here https://glok.bandcamp.com/) and admire Oasis, I’m cool with Andy Bell solo material happening again. Between RIDE releases of course.