Music > Album Reviews

Nic Norton & Alice Morrell - Killing Time

02/12/22

Norwich's Nic Norton and Alice Morrell return with an album of fourteen brand new songs (and also the bonus track 'Sunflower' if you are lucky). It is the follow-up to 2020's 'Smoke and Mirrors', with most of the new songs having emerged from weekly Zoom sessions during the pandemic.
 
Once again, Nic and Alice are joined by 'County Band' regulars Mollie Narayn-Barrow on fiddle and Robin Evans Esq on banjo, and also by some talented guest musicians, including  keyboard player Jennifer Austin, formerly of Orkney folk outfit Fara.
 
The cover features a black and white photograph of Lucia Joyce, daughter of Irish writer James Joyce and, who was a noted Parisian dancer in the 1920's. The tragedy of her life is described in 'Lucia', one of the album's standout tracks, which includes a flugelhorn solo from Marvin McFadden, trumpet player with Huey Lewis and The News.
 
But, once again, it is Norton's knack for writing a catchy, and often quirky, song that defines 'Killing Time'. Failed or lost relationships are a common theme. With Alice Morrell's crystal clear-as-a-bell vocals maximising the impact of each lyrical twist and turn, every track is delivered to deadly effect. These songs remind of some of the great British names of songwriting – Chris Difford of Squeeze, Neil Hannon of Divine Comedy, and Jake Thackry are just three that immediately spring to mind.
 
The cover features a black and white photograph of Lucia Joyce, daughter of the Irish writer James Joyce. She was a noted Parisian dancer in the 1920's before spending  her final years in an asylum. The tragedy of her life is described in 'Lucia', one of ‘Killing Time’s standout tracks, its flugelhorn solo from Marvin McFadden, trumpet player with Huey Lewis and The News, reinforcing the air of impending melancholy.
 
Lead single 'Tell Her', though, is more of an indie rock-out, recalling a passionate past relationship between two old university students. 'Australia', tells of a long lost love who left England many years ago, but is still remembered at Christmas time. 'Painting Me' is a dark, if slightly creepy, tale of an artist and their muse.
 
But there is some wonderfully dark humour to be found within 'Killing Time'. 'Last Great American Dentist', is pure Jaques Brel, with its mischievous refrain, “Gargle, rinse, and spit”, cleverly conjugated against some big Hollywood names. And 'Lost in Song' is a cleverly constructed parody of the 1960’s Richard Harris epic, 'MacArthur Park.
 
'Killing Time' is an album that straddles country, folk, blues and rock, tearing your heart apart, but leaving you with a huge cheesy grin right across your face.
 
8/10