Johnny Depp, track 5. on TwinsTown’s debut album Brankholm Brae, is 3 minutes and 3 seconds of laid back, chilled out indie pop. It starts off like The Kinks and the quirky feel grows as we’re treated to some tuneful backing vocals from Billy George and Ben Sharp, followed by a guitar solo from Stuart Mackay.
Mark Guyan’s keys feature prominently throughout but are always held back neatly as the song bubbles along nicely. This is not the power pop you might expect from TwinsTown.
This is more Belle and Sebastian than Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Mark isn’t banging it out here, like say, Steve Nieve, with his aggressive fingerwork firing Costello’s rant on Radio Radio. An angry rant directed against the BBC’s censorship of the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen. No, this is Mark cajoling the TwinsTown boys to play nice, straighten up and fly right.
As always, it’s first class producing from Robin Wynn Evans at Tpot Studios, Path of Condie.
As the penultimate track on Side One of Brankholm Brae, Johnny Depp ambles us towards half-time. Just one more, Big Heart, before turning over. For all the convenience of CDs and streaming, there’s something great about vinyl. It does sound better. That’s not a myth. There’s a quality to records you just don’t get with digital.
The End of Side One
Side One ends with Big Heart, featuring my favourite bass line on Brankholm Brae. I had the pleasure of being there, in the room, the studio at Tpot Studios, as Harry Dixon was laying down the bass. The versatile guitar man looked stressed, although his playing was unaffected and the end result is excellent.
Harry, best known as a lead guitarist who likes to “FLARE IT!” by giving his pedals laldy, seems concerned and self-conscious on bass, but he doesn’t disappoint.
Actually, I’ve just uploaded the video I shot of Harry doing the last take for the bass line on Big Heart. People tell me it’s too long to be interesting but I like it. Just switch off after 30 seconds if you get bored.
In this video you can hear the track in the background as I wrapped headphones around the camera mic.
Beyond Harry, the other TwinsTown boys aren’t too shabby either and I love the Big Heart lyrics.
You’ve got a big heart
TwinsTown, Big Heart
What’s the use, it’s been nothing but heartache and abuse
You’ve got a big heart but you don’t use it
It’s been nothing but a burden and nuisance
Yes, TwinsTown have a sensitive side. Big Heart tells us they’re all lovely, sensitive wee souls, fragile in the face of heartbreak and lost love. It comes like an antidote to the proceeding song, the slightly cynical, Johnny Depp, and ultimately looks on the brightside.
I’m reproducing all the lyrics here in these posts and if you look far below you’ll find Big Heart. The lads are pouring their hearts out. Here’s another snippet.
You’ve got a big heart, open up and let it loose
TwinsTown, Big Heart
Your keeping it tighter than a knot in a noose
You’ve got a big heart but you’ve no patience your pulse has done a runner on another palpitation!!!
The Big Heart exclamation marks are the songwriters’ own work and they make me think happy endings are a surprise in the works of TwinsTown. Anyway, surprise, surprise, here comes the sun, it’s the optimistic song ending…
Get high on a Monday, fly onto Sunday, try and maybe one day I’ll,
TwinsTown, Big Heart
I’ll get by!!!
Just getting by isn’t the happiest of happy endings but in the context of completing Side One it’s positively glowing.
Welcome to my World is full of betrayal and trauma. Spitfire is war; a rockin’ anti-Nazi classic. Johnny Depp reminds us there’s a world of abuse and calculating narcissists out there, although we all know Johnny won a huge court victory in the end.
Then comes Big Heart sending love and kisses to all, and hope, don’t forget hope. Let’s hope Side Two can live up to the rollercoaster ride that is Side One.
Signs of songs to come
In case you’re wondering why I have wee road signs for the songs, Brankholm Brae is a road in Rosyth and we did expect the cover art for the back of the album to be a photograph of the whole band pictured with the actual Brankholm Brae road sign. However, due to Covid-19, we didn’t manage to get everyone together for a photoshoot. My camera was only able to snap lonely snowdrifts and the like.
TwinsTown’s stunning debut album Brankholm Brae is available to pre-order – link to Bandcamp
Early Bird Offer
Produced by Robin Wynn Evans, whose credits include Manic Street Preachers and The View, Brankholm Brae in pristine limited edition white vinyl is available to pre-order now for the early bird price of only £20. Released on Christmas Eve the full price will be £25.
Click here to buy Brankholm Brae on Bandcamp.
Thank you!
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for, the exciting story of making the debut album continues…
Brankholm Brae Photo Story
EPISODE THREE
Don’t Lose Your Head
The Brankholm Brae Artists
“We’re about writing songs, and if we don’t sing them, who will?”
Donald Mackay, A State of Mind podcast
The Brankholm Brae Song Lyrics
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
Welcome to My World
Intro
Look at all the faces, look at all the faces
Look at all the places, all the placesVerse 1
Welcome to my world, it would be nice to get to know you,
It would be nice to get to know me!!!
For every smile from them that’s so true
There’s a side to them you don’t see
Knowing me it’ll be something I’ve said
I’d take it back but it was all in my head
I guess I should face the vital fact
That boy ain’t ever coming back!!!Chorus
I think”ll be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
I think il be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
If they don’t look me in the eyesInstrumental
Look at all the faces, look at all the faces
Look at all the places,Verse 2
Welcome to my world, I think I’m okay man i must be feeling brave
I just got the shakes like someone stood on my grave
I must of deserved it !!!
nobody’s perfect !!
There’s a table in hell
And I just reserved it !!!
I spy with my little eyes something beginning with lies
I spy with my little eyes something beginning with liesChorus
I think I’ll be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
I think I’ll be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
If they don’t look me in the eyesSolo
YEAH LOOK ME IN THE EYES!
Chorus
Breakdown
WELCOME TO MY WORLD !!!
The end
Music and lyrics by Stuart and Donald Mackay
Get Set, Joe 