SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: NOVELTY ISLAND – WALLSEND WEEKEND TELEVISION

Novelty Island
Wallsend Weekend Television
Think Like A Key

Novelty Island is a pop music project by Liverpool artist Tim McConnell. It is a fascinating ensemble full of musical twists and turns, but most importantly,  it is extremely enjoyable.  McConnell takes his inspiration and influences from classics, classic rock/pop, and electronica, so his music is full of hooks and strong melodies. He shares a love for wordplay with his fellow Liverpudlians (not unlike Roger McGough) and as such the lyrics have a melancholic slant and (at times) humorous quality. Yet, Wallsend Weekend Television is a much more conventional album than one might expect. It is not that he is one safe ground, but the music and lyrics are very accessible and are very listener friendly.

Apparently 80 songs were written and recorded, and from that set 11 top notch ones, one can only imagine the songs left in the vault. As it is, Wallsend Weekend Television is full of great pop and rock songs. In some ways it is like a futuristic Scaffold album, because the lyrics and the music are reminiscent of an older sound yet the record sounds very current. McConnell creates songs, such as the opening track, “Stitches” that sounds like a silent movie soundtrack (complete with film projector sounds) but quickly morphs into an incredible song with strong harmonies, which borders folk. Then later, a song like “Bootlegs” has a much more 1990s vibe but again, with a 2023 slant.

That is the beauty of the album, it shifts from genre to genre depending on the song. “Turn To Me” for example, is a heartfelt ballad full of wonderful sounds and lyrics. This is followed by the psychedelic “The Desperately Strange”, which is frustratingly too short. The synthesizer on it is absolutely perfect. Later “Sea Miner” taps into a Paul McCartney vibe, yet McConnell makes it all his own.

The abum ends with “Balloons”,  the most psychedelic and experimental song on the album. Of the album, and the best way to end Wallsend Weekend Television. Full of recorded sounds, layered music and sound effects, the song tells the story of a balloon trip that goes horribly wrong. It is the most interesting song on the album and it brings everything together.

Wallsend Weekend Television is a strong album that demands to be heard in its entirety. “GoGo” is the perfect single and has a brilliant video to accompany it, and should be put on repeated listenings. It is an album that not only grows on the listener but with each spin on the turntable, one hears something new and exciting. It is a brilliant album.

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