The Seventeenth Century - (Part I) EP

Typical!  The Seventeenth Century were one of the ten bands I tipped last year, and here we are, 10 days into 2011 and they finally go and release their debut, the aptly named (Part I) EP.  Not that I'm bothered in the slightest.  It's well worth the wait, and more than lives up to all the hype they've built up over the last twelve months.  It's a debut full of contrast - powerful in places, yet beautifully delicate in others, with a vocal style that simply shouldn't, but somehow does, compliment the majestic orchestral arrangements on offer - no more so than on the outstanding opening track Young Francis.

Two of the four songs on this mini masterpiece, namely Roses In The Park and of course Young Francis, slipped the clutches of the EP last year and found their way onto several blogs.  Because of that, and thanks to their stunning live show, (Part I) didn't really come as much of a surprise to me, with the exception being the exquisite 90-second-long instrumental cacophony of Amongst Other Things.  The fact that I was expecting it to be this good doesn't detract at all from this being an absolute belter of an EP.

The Seventeenth Century have gotten 2011 off to the best possible start.  Not only with (Part I), but with their great session on Ally McCrae's first BBC Introducing show in the early hours of this morning too.  Apparently we don't have long to wait for (Part II).   Which is just as well really, after hearing some of the tracks this morning, I for one can't wait!

The EP is now available over at the Electra French Records' shop on 10" vinyl with free download code, and if you're in Glasgow, you can no doubt pick one up tomorrow night too... 

Upcoming Gigs

11^th Jan - Captain's Rest, Glasgow (EP launch with Martin John Henry)