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Epic45 - In all the Empty Houses (Make Mine Music)The first time I heard epic45 I had some kind of nostalgic musical epiphany. The soundscapes were akin to rummaging through photographic memories of my childhood -- sepia coast lines and car journeys through country lanes with the feeling of the whole world passing by father’s car window -- and it felt all mine. Trips to places that are still ingrained in my memory, alas with a tinge of sadness at the thought that these memories and feelings seemed impossible to revisit. But thanks to epic45, I have unearthed images of moments hitherto long gone and buried.
In 2007, epic45 hit their musical peak with the album “Summer’s First Breath,” an album described by Word magazine as “The best English Summer Album Ever.” Since then, the duo of Rob Glover and Ben Holton have returned with a new confidence and vigor. Where SFB was the perfect Summer elixir, “In All The Empty Houses” finds the band on more crisp Autumnal paths.
Here we review the new album track by track.
 “We Were Never Here.” - A haunting electronic guitar loop slides the album and listener into pensive relaxation. Acoustic guitars chime, drums pound an almost militaristic beat and the vocals pine for something lost and something that will not pass. “I thought we’d overcome the worst of this.” Sometimes it feels good to hurt and in the company of epic45, you know everything will be okay!
“Daylight Ghosts” - This track reminds me of late era Disco Inferno (and funnily enough, Ian Crause likes epic45). Think DI's "Summer's Last Sound", with all its looped acoustic guitars, but also add a splash of DI during their early incarnation - All aching Vini Reilly esque guitar notes. A song so brimming with emotion that it would reduce the world’s strongest man to tears in seconds. This song also has some seriously positive sentiments within - “The future is blinding, there’s everything to play for.” I remember those days fondly!
“In all the Empty Houses” - I heard this track on last year’s Make Mine Music compilation. More overtly electronic, epic45 take us on another thoughtful journey that feels like a train passing through mist-encased country fields in late autumn. Reminds me a lot of Hood’s work circa “Cold House” but even more haunting.
“The Future is Blinding” - “You say, there must be more to life than this, how much more do you want.” If I had to answer this question whilst this album was playing, I would have to say, “Nothing at all.” I am perfectly happy with the gentle synth washes and desolate aching vocal musings and guitars that sparkle like a meteor shower of happiness.
“Their Voices in the Rafters” - It’s at this point in the album that you realize that epic45 have harvested the fruits of many years of hard musical labour. TVITR is an instrumental number that induces levels of calmness so dangerous that it would be at your own risk to listen to this song whilst driving a car. This song is the sound of a childhood musical box opening up and stirring the mind with cordial thoughts of yesteryear.
“Ghost’s on Tape” - More looped acoustics and an almost Hip Hop-esque drum beat pound away as the guitar pricks the ears and stimulates the soul. “Always remember me, you’re in my heart.” I can’t help feeling that this sentiment is very one-sided and the writer is expressing his unrequited love far too deeply without reciprocation. Anyone who listens to this album runs the risk of falling deeply in love and I mean true love, with all those indescribable emotions -- somehow, epic45 have articulated the deepest feelings of human nature and passion.
All I want to do now is hear this album, again, and again, and again -- I am in love!
9.5/10
Here we managed to catch a few words with a Ben Holton from epic45.
 Well, firstly, how are things in the epic45 camp?
"All good here thanks, very busy in fact, loads to do!"
How do you feel now that you have finished the new album? How happy are you with it?
"I think it's safe to say, we're all pretty chuffed with how it's turned out. The only thing I suppose, is that we drove ourselves half insane with the mixing process. It's something we plan to rectify for the next album..."
What is next for epic45?
"Well, we've got a few gigs coming up, some here in the UK and some over in Europe, which we are all pretty excited about. There's 7" single on the horizon too, an alternate version of 'Daylight Ghosts'. Other than that, it's heads down for the next album....
Oh, and I'm hopefully going to get the My Autumn Empire (Ben's side project - Nicky) album released before the year is out (I'm sure I've said that before though..)"
How did you feel about the critical praise that you recieved after the release of Summer's First Breath album?
"It was all very nice, if a little surreal. Without trying to sound like we're making a mountain out of a mole hill, I think we have tried to not let any of it get to our heads in any way. I think there is a false sense of security that can arise in artists once they start getting good reviews in wider publications. You kind of have to blank it out to a degree, so as to progress naturally to your next project..."
What bands are influencing you at the moment?
"God, it changes from one moment to the next. As far as musically, we try not to be too influenced by what I'm/we're listening to. It's more the techniques I'm fascinated by. So, I get greatly inspired to record after listening to say Psychic TV, This Heat or Camberwell Now but the music I'd end up with would not bare much resemblance to those artists (hopefully)."
Is there anything else you would like to add?
"Kids, swap your guns for books...."
http://www.myspace.com/epic45
Many thanks to Rob Glover and Ben Holton.
Interview and review by Nicky .
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