The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
16
new
SPILL FEATURE: THE LOOK AND THE SEXUAL CONFIDENCE – A CONVERSATION WITH CAROLE POPE
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: GOLIATHAN – “ALBION”
SPILL FEATURE: FAREWELL TO THE EINSTEINS OF CONSCIOUSNESS – A CONVERSATION WITH TORONTO’S UBIQUITOUS SYNERGY SEEKER
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: REGNVM ANIMALE – IGNIS SACER
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: GRIEVOUS ANGELS – “CHILD OF GOD”
SPILL FEATURE: TOMORROW COMES FROM TODAY – A CONVERSATION WITH CHARLIE ANGUS OF GRIEVOUS ANGELS
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RHYE – HOME
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HERE LIES MAN – RITUAL DIVINATION
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: SCOTT KLEIN – “WHAT’S MY NAME”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: SOUTH OF FRANCE – “SIDEWALK”
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: HOT LIPS – “FEMICIDE”
SPILL ALBUM PREMIERE: KATEY MORLEY – HEARTS & HEADS & THOUGHTS & DEEDS
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: LEAHY – “GOOD WATER”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: BILL JR. JR. (A.K.A. VANCOUVER SINGER-SONGWRITER RUSSELL GENDRON) TO RELEASE ‘HOMEBODY’ ON JANUARY 26 | SINGLE “DEAR NEIGHBOUR” OUT NOW
SPILL NEW MUSIC: CAPE TOWN PUNK-DUO THE SOAPGIRLS RELEASE “HEART IN BLOOM” – A LOCKDOWN TRIBUTE TO HOPE AND LOVE
SPILL NEW MUSIC: STRIPPERS UNION RETURN AFTER 10 YEAR HIATUS WITH NEW DOUBLE-LP ‘THE UNDERTAKING’ VIA THE ORCHARD | FIRST SINGLE “WE ARE THE UNDERWORLD” RELEASED
  • MORE
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • TOTD
  • Books + Movies
  • Scene Unseen
  • About
  • Spill Menu
    • Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Festivals
    • Portraits
    • Headlines
      • News
      • Contests
      • Events
      • Entertainment Headlines
      • Concert Listings
      • Toronto Concert Venues
    • New Music
      • Premieres
      • TOTD
    • Books + Movies
    • Scene Unseen
    • About
REGISTER
@
LOGIN
Album Reviews
816
Editor Pick
previous article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CINDY DOIRE - PANORAMA
next article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JASON CROSBY - CRYPTOLOGIC

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLANCMANGE – UNFURNISHED ROOMS

Blancmange

Blancmange
Unfurnished Rooms
Blanc Check Records

Blancmange is Neil Arthur, or Neil Arthur is Blancmange. Since Stephen Luscombe left the band (the other original member) due to health reasons, Arthur has carried the torch and continued on under the Blancmange name. Unfurnished Rooms is Blancmange’s ninth studio album and the fifth album without Luscombe. Arthur has been amazingly prolific of late and in fact this is his second album this year, as he is one half of Fader who released their debut album, First Light, in June of this year.

Quite frankly, Arthur has outdone himself with Unfurnished Rooms. It is is one of the best Blancmange albums ever. This is no easy task, or a statement made lightly, as Blancmange have released eight brilliant albums. But on this one, Arthur is not holding back and he has produced an album full of memorable songs (and characters) that stay in your head, burrow and keep drawing you back.

Arthur has always been a brilliant lyricist, but, again, on Unfurnished Rooms he does what he does well, but even better than before. Listen to “What’s The Time”, “Just some things to pass the time as everything else is moving on.” And then, a list of questions, some trivial but all meaningful, beginning and ending with “What’s the best dog you ever had?”. This is all set to a steady beat and some tight playing from the band.

Musically and lyrically there is more than a little melancholy on this album. Although Arthur does not discuss the health of his old Blancmange partner, Luscombe, there are certainly nods toward him throughout, but especially on the song “Old Friends”.Arthur is able to express himself both with his words and his music. And a song like “Old Friends” is beautiful in its’ quiet melody. Arthur knows when to use volume and when to play it quiet. The power in the low volume speaks more than words.

Arthur has always surrounded himself with brilliant musicians, Even with Luscombe, Blancmange were never shy in asking guest musicians to assist. For Unfurnished Rooms, Arthur is joined by co-Fader member, Benge (who also works with John Foxx) to assist and co-produce. Even more intriguing is guest John Grant who plays piano and provides backing vocals on the song “Don’t Get Me Wrong”. It is a beautiful and moving song.

Arthur has been busy this year, tours of Europe and The U.K., the Fader, this album and the boxset, The Blanc Tapes, comprising not only the first three studio albums but also a ton of extras. But this work has not impaired him, if anything it has motivated him to produce some incredible music this year. This is an artist who has something to say and has found the best way to express himself. Unfurnished Rooms (excellent title and great sleeve) is a brilliant album that will age well and will be with us a long long time.



Artist Links

website_flat_2016 facebook_flat_2016 twitter_flat_2016 soundcloud_flat_2016 youtube_flat_2016 spotify_flat_2016

Editor Pick
Item Reviewed

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLANCMANGE – UNFURNISHED ROOMS

Author

Aaron Badgley

Here's what we think...
Spill Rating
Fan Rating
Rate Here
New Criteria
10
45.2
9.0
Total Spill Rating
45.2
Total Fan Rating
4 ratings
You have rated this
Album Reviews
album reviewsanna dineblanc check recordsblancmangeneil arthurshare it outunfurnished roomswhat's the time
album reviews, anna dine, blanc check records, blancmange, neil arthur, share it out, unfurnished rooms, what's the time
About the Author
Aaron Badgley
Aaron Badgley
Born and raised in Whitby, Aaron discovered music through his love of The Beatles. This led to a career in radio, writing for various publications, and ultimately a radio show about The Beatles (Beatles Universe), which ran for over four years. When not immersed in music, Aaron enjoys spending time with the loves of his life -- his wife Andrea, and daughters Emily and Linda (all of whom have an intense love of music too).
RELATED ARTICLES
album reviewsanna dineblanc check records
 
7.0
Regnvm Animale
10

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: REGNVM ANIMALE – IGNIS SACER

by Bryan Williston on January 24, 2021
Regnvm Animale Ignis Sacer Deutsche Bulvan Bolag ‘Unchecked growth sees capitalist greed choking democracy, while global temperatures rise at an alarming rate.’ With such a [...]
 
7.0
Rhye

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RHYE – HOME

by Robert Defina on January 22, 2021
Rhye Home Last Gang Records Toronto-born Michael Milosh has been able to cultivate something both unique and engaging with Rhye–a sultry, soothing mix of R&B and indie pop which toes the line [...]
 
9.0
Here Lies Man

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HERE LIES MAN – RITUAL DIVINATION

by Gerrod Harris on January 22, 2021
Here Lies Man Ritual Divination RidingEasy Records Having burst onto the scene in 2017 with their self-titled debut record, LA’s Here Lies Man has only continued to dive deeper into [...]
 
7.0
Azure Ray

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: AZURE RAY – AZURE RAY (20th ANNIVERSARY VINYL EDITION)

by Samantha Stevens on January 16, 2021
Azure Ray Azure Ray (20th Anniversary Vinyl Edition) Flower Moon Records To celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Azure Ray has some [...]
 
10
Danielle Durack

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DANIELLE DURACK – NO PLACE

by Nathan Pike on January 15, 2021
Danielle Durack No Place Undertow Music “Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re [...]
Latest Album Reviews
View All
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: REGNVM ANIMALE – IGNIS SACER
7.0
10
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RHYE – HOME
7.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HERE LIES MAN – RITUAL DIVINATION
9.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: AZURE RAY – AZURE RAY (20th ANNIVERSARY V...
7.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DANIELLE DURACK – NO PLACE
10
Latest Live Reviews
View All
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 1 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on January 7, 2021
88
 

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: WARDRUNA – ‘KVITRAVN’ PRESENTATION (ONLINE PERFORMANCE)

by Samantha Wu on December 10, 2020
158
 
Evanescence

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: EVANESCENCE @ ROCK FALCON STUDIO, NASHVILLE (TN)

by Melinda Welsh on December 5, 2020
49
 
Alice In Chains

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: MoPOP PRESENTS: ALICE IN CHAINS @ MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE, SEATTLE (WA)

by Gerrod Harris on December 1, 2020
63
 
Lowest Of The Low

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LOWEST OF THE LOW @ LEE’S PALACE, TORONTO

by John Graham on November 28, 2020
1297
Tweets by @spillmagazine

SPILL MAGAZINE MENU
  • Home | The Spill Magazine
  • Premieres
  • Album Reviews
  • Books + Movies
  • Features
  • Live Reviews
  • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • News
  • Events
  • Entertainment Headlines
  • Concert Listings
  • Toronto Concert Venues
  • About Us
  • Contests
  • New Music
  • Spill Magazine Contributors
  • TOTD
  • Privacy Policy
  • The Scene Unseen
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2020 | The Spill Magazine
All Rights Reserved.

TRENDING RIGHT NOW
   
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PAUL McCARTNEY – McCARTNEY III
543
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY – MECHANICAL SOUL
531
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ALTER BRIDGE – WALK THE SKY 2.0
498
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GUIDED BY VOICES – STYLES WE PAID FOR
484
 
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: CHURCH OF TREES FEAT. CAROLE POPE – “WORLD’S A BITCH”
439
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ELTON JOHN – ELTON: JEWEL BOX
329
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SMALL TOWN TITANS – THE RIDE
325
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRIAN ENO – FILM MUSIC: 1976-2020
311
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS – LIVE IN BOSTON, 1982: THE COMPLETE CONCERT
310
 
SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LOWEST OF THE LOW @ LEE’S PALACE, TORONTO
297
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GWAR – SCUMDOGS OF THE UNIVERSE (30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION – REMIXED AND REMASTERED)
290
 
SPILL FEATURE: IT’S ALL IN THE NAME (PART 1) – A CONVERSATION WITH HAWKSLEY WORKMAN
252
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DIRTY NIL – FUCK ART
242
ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINES