Liverpool Sound and Vision rating * * * *
The pleasure of the alternative must never be taken for granted. It is only in searching and finding the alternative approach that a measure of understanding for the whole of the sum can be appreciated, that the recognition of a different song can be seen in all its glory.
The Museum of Backward Hats have found a way to realise that and in the two songs Otherside and Ebenezer, the band who decided to call it a day before many of the new and young bands currently prowling the streets, sniffing the air for the one chance to really shine had even been born, have come back to install a balance, to prove that no matter what, it truly is never too late to reach out for something tangible and glorious.
The two songs represent optimism, a way of thinking that perhaps for many gets lost in the melee of finding that the youthful box of desire has been replaced by the panic of society imploring you to be the same as everyone else, to be the same and that sickening thought which always shouts at the loudest possible volume, “You’ve had your chance, you didn’t take it; now conform till the day you retire.” It is that loud shout that gets repeated across time and it takes bravery to ignore it, it takes a cool head and perhaps the flourish of independent thinking and certainly the beauty of a creative mind to put a couple of fingers up to it and plough on regardless.
Otherside and Ebenezer are more than a couple of fingers up to the spectre of distracted thought, they are the backdrop to an ever-growing belief, of optimism and faith but with the beautiful growl of expectant fight that being over 40 should attain, of being ready for a second bout against a foe that ticks in the corner, that slowly eats away at resolve and for the members of Museum of Backward Hats, the resolve is justifiably cool.
The two songs are great, they are strong, full and measured but they also have the backs of the band and argue with vigour that it is truly never too late to change even a small corner of the world.
Ian D. Hall