Follow up record to debut album 'Shake'.

This is the second album proper from the band called Sacred Heart, and as much as I like their debut ‘Shake’, ‘Darkness Falls’ in every way that matters, is so much better. The production is bigger, the song writing tighter, the melodies bolder and the hooklines catchier. Which if you’re reading this magazine should set your musical antennas twitching. I know that I might me going a little over the top but after only one listen I found myself humming various choruses off the ‘Darkness Falls’ CD, the hooks, you see, had burrowed deeply into my psyche and then refused to leave. And I can’t say that about some of the so called bigger acts and their songs doing the rounds today.

Main songwriter, singer, and guitarist Paul Stead has really worked his backside off on this album as have his band mates. All working hard on his songs which tell stories rather than just the 3 minutes of music about love or rock, you usually get. And that’s why I love this album, the way each of the tracks tells a story, stories that keep you listening and entertained right through until the end of the song. ‘TV Movies’, ‘Top Of The Class’ and ‘Music Man’ are all prime examples of Paul’s storytelling, but it’s on the haunting ballad ‘No-One Knows (War)’, where everything good about music comes together. ‘No-One Knows (War) is a beautiful song about a soldiers plight during wartime, and how they miss their loved ones and can‘t wait to come back home. It’s heartfelt and done with such humility that the band’s integrity shines through on each and every note. It’s a song I urge you to hear (there is now also a Youtube video to accompany the track).

For an independent release ‘Darkness Falls’ has it all, fantastic songs, catchy choruses and a band that are trying their hardest, to write, record and put out a quality album that fans of good music will enjoy. ‘Darkness Falls’ is available through the bands website www.sacredheartshakes.co.uk

Ian Johnson