Blyth is the solo project of acclaimed UK drummer Ian White. The musician is currently readying his Confessions of a Justified Sinner LP for a 12″ vinyl release on September 10th, though the album is now available digitally. Today, we check out the cinematic track “Tongue Tied.”
White has been a vital member of the UK alternative band Gallon Drunk, playing drums for the band on six albums since joining in 1993. He has also teamed up with Gallon Drunk guitarist, organist, and lead vocalist James Johnston on the project Big Sexy Noise with saxophonist Terry Edwards and No Wave vocalist, performer, filmmaker, writer Lydia Lunch.
On his newest solo outing as Blyth, though, White moves to the forefront writing, arranging, and performing all of the track’s on Confessions of a Justified Sinner. The effort was recorded and mixed by Giles Barrett, and it finds him joined on occasion by James Johnston, who contributes guitar and additional piano, Jeremy Cottingham, here playing lead and wah guitar on two tracks, as well as Barrett who contributes DrumBrute on the cut “This Promise.”
“Tongue Tied” is the lead song on the album, and it is an excellent example of the cinematic ground this record covers. From the initially wistful strains of alternating piano notes, this song explodes into rhythmic propulsion. The two opening notes loop back and forth in this flurry of percussion while time seems to compress down to a razor’s edge. Meanwhile, White goes on to usher the composition through a series of harrowing transitions, as building intensity continually gives way to thrilling discoveries.
Below, you can listen to “Tongue Tied” via the Bandcamp embed. To preorder the limited 12″ vinyl version of Confessions of a Justified Sinner, Bandcamp is also the route to go.
