Album Review: Admiral Radio - Heirloom

 

Across 12 tracks, South Carolina-based duo Admiral Radio get to the crux of making a record strong on message and sweet on sound. The voices of Coty Hoover and Becca Smith are deployed with great effect, whether in harmony, duet or exposing the tone of the male and female vocal. All but one of the songs making the HEIRLOOM cut carry the acute ambition of the couple writing in tandem, blossoming in a soundscape illustrated by fiddle with a side accompaniment of steel, mandolin, harmonica and oodles of twang. From a breezy pop tinged opening to a confessional departure, every crevice of Admiral Radio’s work embodies the spirit of multi-shaded country, folk and Americana music. 

Optimism and realism co-exist along with a yearning to make sense of things. ‘Jackpot’ perceptively launches the record implying the notion of taking your chances and aiming high. It also possesses a great hook inviting you to dig deeper. Now you are on Admiral Radio’s radar, the harmonies spin a dose of southern charm in the narration of the story song ‘Sidewalk Preacher’. There is a lifelong angle to the song with framed characterisation and layers of positivity. 

There are times when one side of the vocal unit comes to the fore and Becca Smith sprinkles some country delight on the anthem-like qualities of ‘One Day at a Time’. A touch dreamy in places with fiddle featuring highly and a track you could envision accruing a lot of arm waving in a live setting. This leads into an alternate stratosphere when Coty Hoover steps up to wrap his vocal chops around the slower ‘Love is Alchemy’, a moment to sway and digest the depth of the writing. 

Attractive albums require numerous high spots and ‘Life is a Puzzle’ provides one with poignant acoustic musings wrapped in a great melody. You truly believe in the sentiment of taking a punt from the way this track transmits. The half way mark is reached with more vocal interchange and additional twang attached to the everyday retrospective anthem ‘Man of Means’.

There are no flagging signs as HEIRLOOM shares another high spot at the beginning of the second half with ‘Swoon. This track offers some reinvigorating impetus with a tempo switch and redeployment of classic pop licks, albeit with a country flavour. Life’s simple pleasures ease out from the lyrics in a gentle hip shaking rolling tune. 

Suddenly, the tone gets a lot darker with a folky cloak enveloping the narrative-laden ‘Coal Mining Town’ led by Smith’s voice adopting an alternative shade. The song gives a voice to its characters and the perfect tone is set by fiddle and mandolin. 

You can almost hear a plea coming out of ‘Lie Back Down’, a classic tender duet serenaded by acoustic guitar with blasts of harmonica. At this point the voices of Smith and Hoover are weaving their magic. Which leads into the album’s only cover, the much interpreted ‘Dancing in the Dark’. Few acts aim to replicate the original’s power, so tend to cast it in a rootsy folky direction like Admiral Radio do well here. 

It is of no surprise that Admiral Radio shape a fitting ending to their alluring record. ‘Stepping Stones’ is pure nostalgic reflection attempting to take stock of a journey, while ‘Kind to Yourself’ is an ode to the modern age, leaving you with a profound message that is all the more effective as a striking parting shot.

Admiral Radio apply perfect crossover tendencies within a narrow strip transmitting both thoughtful and feel good vibes. HEIRLOOM is a relatable album, packing a pleasing punch, while focussing on value in many different forms.