Ralfe Band’s fourth studio album Achilles Was a Hound Dog is a masterclass of songcraft, drawing on experiences from band leader Oly Ralfe’s recent past.
Mostly recorded in Oxford and London, it features the regular Ralfe Band musicians: Garo Nahoulakian on guitar and bass, Nick Fowler playing bass and guitar, and Mike Monaghan on drums. Friends of Oly Ralfe appear as special guests too, including drummer Seb Rochford (Polar Bear, Damon Albarn, double-bassist Ben Nicholls (Nadine Shah), cellist Gabriella Swallow (Richard Hawley), bassist Harry Deacon (Palace) and drummer Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey).
Providing a further dimension is vocalist Emma Faulkner, who acts as a foil to Ralfe throughout, sometimes embodying the protagonist’s auditory conscience. Evoking Morricone’s use of the female voice, Faulkner broadens the palette and lightens the mood, especially on a more tenebrous number like ‘A Thousand Miles Away’ which Oly admits came from a dark place. “I’ve loved working with Emma to build moods through harmonies and counter melodies,” he says, “it’s a big part of the album’s sound.”
Achilles Was a Hound Dog is the most musically diverse Ralfe Band album to date, where baroque pop, indie noir, new wave and wonky jazz coalesce within a landscape of charming cohesion, a stunning musical melange that’s complemented by the striking, abstract album cover, painted by Ralfe himself.
Ralfe Band ’Achille Was a Hound Dog’ // 1. Pale Fire - 2. Momentary Collapse - 3. Sirens - 4. More than Enough - 5. Scissorlock - 6. Ancient - 7. Achilles Was a Hound Dog - 8. A Thousand Miles Away - 9. Octobermen - 10. Looking for Eureka - 11. A Day a Week a Month a Year - 12. Howl
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