Sophia
As We
Make Our Way (Unknown Harbours)
(The Flower Shop Recordings)
There
is something special about each Sophia
album. Each album is immaculately
recorded. Every instrument shines with
clarity and depth. Each album is sleeved with tastefully simple but effective
artwork and packaging. And, of course,
it always takes some effort to track down.
I first encountered Sophia twenty years ago when I purchased a double 7”
single that included two songs each from long-time favorite Swervedriver, and Sophia. Both Sophia songs assured that I would be
hooked on this new band. Unfortunately, that
would be the last time I ever saw one of their records or CDs in an actual
record store, so it’s always been about tracking down each release via mail order.
Robin Proper-Sheppard is
essentially Sophia. He has led various
incarnations of his band now over six fantastic and incredibly consistent
albums spanning the last twenty years. As We Make Our Way is no exception. Though it’s been seven long years since the
last tour de force There Are No Goodbyes,
it’s clear that Sheppard has not lost his way, at least musically. He has always been a voice of clarity for the
downtrodden. His lyrics have always
represented those of us who have a hard time accepting our lot in life and feel
regretful over pretty much every decision we’ve ever made. He accepts the blame for all of our
wrong-doings and finally comes right out and says so in “Blame” halfway through
this collection (“it’s okay, I’ll take the blame / for the both of us), atop
his ever present acoustic strum and piano phrase that mirrors the short
instrumental opener “Unknown Harbours.”
Things
really take off with the powerfully pounding drums of the epic “Resisting.” The simple repeated lyrics ask why we’re
always resisting (Temptation?
Leadership? Status Quo?
Happiness?), while the music swells to dramatic highs that hint at the huge
orchestrated songs from Swans’ 1991 album
White Light from the Mouth of Infinity. It’s a song that has the patience to allow
the musical tension to build and build, making the conclusion that much more
satisfying. The next two songs, “The
Drifter” and “Don’t Ask,” recall Sophia’s long history of dusty downbeat
trudging gliders that tell some kind of intriguing yet sad story. Proper-Sheppard is so adept at these that
they always sound fresh, even if he has already covered this ground.
Where
this new album steps away from previous Sophia albums is at the start of side
two. “California” offers up a big bright
sounding tune that actually feels hopeful.
Then comes along the grinding bass groove of the foot stomping “St.
Tropez/The Hustle” and Robin’s falsetto in “You Say It’s Alright” over a
repeated keyboard line. The latter two
tracks definitely show off some experimentation and, dare I say it, a more
danceable approach.
The
final two tracks close out this collection in classic Sophia fashion. “Baby, Hold On” is a slow builder that
details his tendency to be a no show for important times in a relationship, but
he offers a slight glimmer of hope that change may be coming, as he readily
admits his mistakes. Meanwhile, the
closing song “It’s Easy to be Lonely” is an outstandingly effective indictment
for everyone who feels sad and lonely, by pointing out that we’ve taken the
easy way out. In other words, we’ve made
the decision to be this way (“Another chance to change is avoided”). This is a beautiful and potent song and one
that can be difficult to get through, as he finally points the finger at us
(the lonely), instead of accepting the consequences himself, as usual.
It’s a
shame that Sophia is not more widely known, especially in the U.S. I would love the opportunity to see them
perform live and hear this majestic music in person and at high volume. However, I am thankful that they have stuck
it out for so long and offered us so many great songs.
