'Common Knowledge' - Pillowfish
What a treat! Listen to ‘Common Knowledge’ by Pillowfish - but listen to multiple replays before you decide and that’s the crucial point. There are many levels to this band. The first listen gives you some superb music and perceptive lyrics then you start to go deeper and I think that’s what Tom Drinkwater (vocals, bouzouki, guitar) and Helen Bell (viola, violin) are all about - multiple layers of talent. Believe me it’s worth chasing them through the multifaceted levels of their inventive and lyrically sparkling songs.
‘Seven Stolen Stars’ is the perfect opener – it takes you straight into their style and it’s one of their most readily accessible songs. There’s something rather evocative of Robin Williamson crossed with Tim Booth about Tom’s voice, it has an other-worldly quality that’s hard to pin down. It’s slightly nasal quality combined with its sharpness gives the lyrics their unique edge. It’s a perfect fit with their song structures, which are rarely predictable. It could jar with some people but that’s their problem not Tom’s. Add Helen’s complex musical dexterity and incredibly sensitive touch and you’re breaking into ‘Common Knowledge’.
My supreme favourite is ‘The Revolution will be in Colour’ there’s a beautiful bite to the inventive, incisive lyrics. The line: ‘Everyone knows that her stockings are blue but her lips they are red and her politics too’ is pure pleasure. Again, Tom and Helen combine to deliver their distinct magic. I can see the complicated construction of their songs making some listeners feel they are being asked to work just too hard. ‘Addiction’ is one of these ‘Move Your Money’ is another. The answer is persevere it will be worth it.
There are two instrumentals on the CD - ‘The First Bonfire/Pillowfish’, and ‘Hunting the Off Licence/ Trip to Heligoland’. Both of these also deserve more than one listen. Beautifully composed tunes that you feel could be in your head for the rest of the day. Helen and Tom’s intricate musicianship traces permanent lines in your mind. Then again, they are as hard to pin down as clouds in the breeze.
The final gem in this musical box of delights is‘Fingerprints and Smudges’. It’s one of those ‘storytelling’ songs. It’s like a book you can’t put down because you’re desperate to find out what happens yet when it’s finished you want to go back and reread the best bits – yep that’s what happens here. It’s a long song (6.25) so prepare to lose some time as you listen again and again. Tom’s vocal makes it come alive. I can’t imagine many people delivering it so well.
Unique is a much-abused word, so is individual – in this case they are both spot on to describe Pillowfish. They’re never going to be in-car entertainment. (It would doubtless horrify them if I said they were.) But Tom and Helen have a unique musical presence that’s worth digging into – it may take some perseverance but you’ll love what you find.
