BRIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE is Blue Rose Code's fourth collection of new music in the last decade and an album fully equipped to elevate the band to fresh heights. From a tidy pile of ten tracks maximising every beat of a forty-three minute soundtrack, a cauldron of moods, styles and prime songwriting bubble within a structure targeting the listening sweet spot with precision and panache. Exiled Scot, Ross Wilson is renowned for imprinting a personal identity onto a band sculpted in a musical journey following the contours of life itself. Assembling a talented array of musicians tightens an emotive spin leaving a record stacked with many nuances and lavish moments of an expressive approach to nailing an accessible song.
Although an astute songwriter, Wilson has opted to place an innovative version of 'Amazing Grace' at the heart of the running order. From one perspective it splits the album into near two halves enabling the listener to assess in smaller chunks, on a more forensic level perhaps the words possess a greater personal relevance. Outside of this curve ball, one frequently finding a home in roots music, the writing is almost in the solo domain of Wilson barring a co-effort with Donald Shaw on the arrangement to 'MacDonald's Lament' where the style deviates into the left field waters of adapting the spoken word.
On a more conventional level, the opening four tracks show Blue Rose Code on top form chiseling evidence of longstanding tags such as Caledonian soul, folk and Americana. A big sound dominates the launch with the refreshing soulful vibes of the rousing 'Jericho' getting the hips shaking. A couple of tracks later, 'Never Know Why' reintroduces the faster tempo securing that aspect in fine fettle. The listening antenna is finely adjusted to garner the full lyrical effect from the other two early tracks with 'Sadie' eloquently putting Wilson's late mother into focus and the narrative of 'Thirteen Years' bringing a fervent political pursuit to the fore. Many memorable lines enable an alignment between Wilson and empathetic listeners.
The highlight of the second half is the pensive 'Peace in Your Heart' where the tempo allows each sinew of sentiment to settle. Blue Rose Code is synonymous with Wilson's natural Scottish brogue, a trait that travels far, and as relevant here as anywhere. Sparkling moments of adorable pedal steel courtesy of Conor Smith liberally illuminate the album including the spine tingling latter stages of 'Easy As We Go'. For a delve into spiritual aspects 'Don't Be Afraid' lures the listener as things start to wind down. The final act serenely begins with a gentle dose of mandolin leading into 'Now the Big Man Has Gone', a track poignantly ending with a significant voice message.
An active studio enacts a lush live sound in BRIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE with an uplifting tone and accentuated sensitivity. Vulnerability is exposed on the confessional canvas of this supremely strong Blue Rose Code album. Horns, strings and twang add flavour, yet the innate intimacy and honest traits of band leader Ross Wilson remain the dominant piece.
