EP Review: Courteeners 'How Good It Was'

Rating:

How Good It Was showcases 4 brand new tracks bringing together everything we have come to expect from the Manchester band. The opener, ‘How Good It Was’, is a retrospective of past relationships and the importance of holding fond memories in such a situation. Never one to shy away from his emotions Liam Fray has once again opened up and demonstrated what makes him a cult hero of the modern day songwriter. With a rousing chorus that will once again get the masses singing along and accompaniment from none other than the BBC Philharmonic and Halle Orchestras he’s once again hit a winning formula.

The subsequent 3 songs back up the lead single nicely. It will be a surprise to see ‘Hometown One’ left out of the live sets. With another catchy chorus and infectious guitar riff/drum pattern combo, it’s full of groove providing a good base for the keys laid over the top.‘Sunflower’ is perhaps the biggest surprise as the band strip it back to an acoustic number, which isn’t a surprise, but the fact that it is shrouded with a folky feel is something we haven’t seen too often. This will have you bopping and toe tapping in the back garden with a bevvy…

Song titles have never really been cryptic when it comes to the Courtneers so the last song on the EP, ‘Why Are You Still With Him’ leaves little to the imagination as far as a hidden meaning. This slower offering brings down the tempo and explains the trials and tribulations suffered by a ‘good friend’ of his. This is where the orchestral accompaniment is at it’s best building atmosphere throughout while, once again, Fray bares all and doesn’t hold back his thoughts.

It’s great to have this mob back and if ‘How Good It Was’ is anything to go by forthcoming album ‘Concrete Love’ will prove another notch on Courteeners album bed post.

Gay Byfield