Beans on Toast - Rolling Up The Hill

Ahhh… Beans On Toast. Known for being a really nice guy who writes feel good songs. If that’s what you’re looking for in this album then you’ll probably enjoy it. However anyone looking for anything other than his traditional happy-go-lucky fare had probably better look elsewhere. Coming into this album to be honest I was expecting more, due to the inclusion of proper instrumentation, including double bass, harmonica, fiddle and a whole shit tonne of percussion.  This addition gives the album major Americana vibes, promoted by the single from this album The Great American Novel. On this tune Beans rambles about his travels in America as if he’s telling it as a story, which gives it a fun kind of A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall vibe - minus Dylan’s genius.  I think what grates me most about these tracks is that three quarters of the vocal melodies on this album sound the same, with only the instruments setting them apart. Exceptions to this rule tend to be stand outs, such as Robin Hood Costume which is a kind of pseudo-country-rap that revolves around a bass riff. If you like Beans on Toast, buy this album. Otherwise, nah.