Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8/10
The soft delicate guitar fused with a the coming out of a serene waking dream and accompanied by a set of vocals that could lull you into believing all is well with the world is perhaps the only way in which to pay respect to Mark Harrison and his new album The World Outside.
The World Outside your window, the safety net in which you can hide behind and peek at and write down observations is not as good as you make think it is. For the view is only as good as the sight you see and where it might be rosy in your garden, beyond your wall of misguided content lies many things that are wrong, disturbingly so and yet the veil that makes shields your eyes from the sun, also shields your eyes from the truth of the situation.
Mark Harrison’s world outside is an honest reflection of what he witnesses, tied down with charming and picturesque musicianship and a more than amiable smile in which to comfort you whilst spelling out all the wrong in the world is there for you grasp hold of and feel the anger also. It is not anger that rises up like a strike of a match, over too quickly and none of the substantial beauty that is the roar of a well built bonfire, slowly starting, hard to contain but its message can be seen for miles around.
This Blues/Folk crossover is enhanced by Charles Benfield on double bass, Will Greener on harmonica, the wonderful Josienne Clarke on vocals, Ben Walker on mandolin, Ed Hopwood on drums and Guy Bennett on keys. The combination of intricate flowing music is the tome that people will no doubt first reflect upon as they hear each song; however it soon guides you in with an astounding subtlety, you only realise how angry life has made you when the lyrics hit home and yet a smile of straightforward satisfaction will appear on your face as you realise it cannot last forever given enough people open up the doors and see beyond the view endorsed by certain media and politicians.
Tracks such as Run, Not All Right, the superb Where Ignorance is Bliss, the disturbing dystopian feel of In The Neighbourhood and Hard Times Now make The World Outside a better place in which to reside, for where there is truth in music, there is a natural beauty to be seen. Serenity may come with a price, Mark Harrison asks if you are willing to step beyond your narrow view and act upon the change needed. A great album in which to relish possible change, should you open the window of your soul more.
Ian D. Hall