Rob St. John & Ian Humberstone – Your Phantom Limb/ House on the Hill

A tremendous record and one to spin after a hard day’s fell walking, pint in hand.

A tremendous record and one to spin after a hard day’s fell walking, pint in hand.

 

http://www.songbytoadrecords.com

 

A marvellous single, and, as is increasingly common a split 7” too: blow me down if I don’t find these split 7” things more exciting than a standard release. Rob St John’s Your Phantom Limb is a passionate and brooding affair, a real tap room lament given form and emotional substance by a beautifully floating and ethereal arrangement. Whoever plays the guitar really knows how to tug at the heartstrings. And listen to the way the singer lays emphasis on the word “coming”, a warm Lancastrian burr, menacing and hopeful. Ian Humberstone’s House on the Hill is more reflective, maybe even soporific: a miniaturist observation led by steady piano prompts and lyrics that are half sung half hummed… It’s very affecting indeed and with both feet in a fine pastoral tradition. A tremendous record and one to spin after a hard day’s fell walking, pint in hand. More, we say!