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Aging successfully requires the right kind of reminiscing.
Welsh songwriter Lyndon Morgans’ ninth album is back to being Songdog and returning to some familiar themes, such as the passing of time, lost love, nostalgia and death. His last record, “Of Gods and Men” (2022) had a rather splendid track called ‘Between Punk and Thatcher’s Fall’. Despite the passage of time there did seem to be life in the old dog yet.
“Remember those wild, wild days between punk and Thatcher’s fall?/ What have you got- I mean REALLY got- if you can’t waste it all?/ Some of us shone quasars, some threw up in pre-dawn streets, others hunted for a place called the fuck-out-of-here, but didn’t life taste sweet?/ Rebel songs and South London blues…”
Now, despite the title, “Mirabilla Mundi” delivers a darker, more wearisome outlook on life. Morgans is reunited with Songdog regular Karl Woodward who provides piano and the distinctive sound of a mellotron throughout. The folk-duo are joined by violinist Bethan Frieze.
The opening track, ‘Ding Dong Daddy’ sets the scene. Morgans has a very distinct voice and style, the music carrying some jam-packed, humorous lyrics. ‘Ding Dong Daddy’ includes some interesting, regional-sounding brass. Throughout the ten tracks on “Mirabilla Mundi” there’s not much change in format or in tempo. The violin is omnipresent. The tracks could almost be a folky-soundtrack to a musical based on the life of Lyndon Morgans. Indeed, there are nods to previous Songdog tracks, albums and lyrics interwoven throughout the record.
Standout track, ‘Kingdom Come Came and Went’, has Morgans lamenting, “Life is hard enough without the bad reviews”. At the end of the album there lingers a feeling that Mr Morgans is a little bit star crossed. It is a wonderful world and Morgans has travelled through it possessing a big talent. Hopefully that talent will continue to rouse a few young and old rebels. Steven Wright is quoted as saying, “I like to reminisce with people I don’t know”. Who wants to connect with Morgans reminiscing on this album? Only time will tell but old fans should be content to have a new Songdog album. No bad review here.
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