Darren Hayman and the Secondary Modern - out now on Track and Field
0 Comments Published by Nat Lady on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 22:01.
Darren Hayman and the Secondary Modern is the second full-length album from indiepop’s favourite shambling singer-songwriter, and the latest in a seemingly endless series of recordings and side-projects over the past couple of years. Since dissolving Peel faves Hefner in 2002, Darren has been a very busy man, releasing a slow electropop album with The French, exploring his love of bluegrass with Watkins, Trout and Lee and effortlessly unleashing a debut solo album and a few EPs along the way.If his first album, Table for One, told of the everyday struggle to hold down a decent adult relationship, this album dares to explore the wider landscape of love, taking in a few agony page tales along the way. As ever, Darren delves in and out of the minds of loved up and disappointed characters, including a faithful teacher (Art and Design) and an out-of-sorts young woman (Rochelle). Yet, at the same time, a sort of homey contentment settles over the record; She’s Not for Me is certain in its rejection of a flaky type of girl and Apologise is honest about failure to do washing up, while Let’s Go Stealing surprisingly steers clear of love altogether and instead celebrates the joy of borrowing words from books and songs. The album is also a welcome return to the folk pop sound which characterised many of Hefner’s earlier songs, and proof that a fondness for both ukeleles and synthesisers is not fundamentally incompatible. Darren is currently touring the UK, and at the Kilburn Luminaire (Monday November 12th, 2007) he roped in a folk-artillery of a banjo, ukulele and violin, with just himself and a friend from The Wave Pictures on guitar. The instruments were given a fair hearing in such a cosy setting and even some of the older members of the crowd were involuntarily jigging by the end. Of course, what is always most impressive about a Darren Hayman gig is his astounding back catalogue, and this evening was no exception. Greedy Ugly People, Good Fruit, Pull Yourself Together and Hello Kitten all got an airing, as well as old French faves Gabriel in the Airport and Porn Shoes. Darren knows his crowd well, teasing them with a few familiar, cursory intro chords between songs and jokey banter which was at once smart-alec and polite.
But, back to the album, I should also mention the fact that – as a dog lover – I adore the cover, which I strongly suspect might be a picture of Darren's dog. As far as live Darren Hayman appearances go, we’ve had ukulele duels, banjo solos and men with beards. All I ask now is - can there be some live dog action at the next gig please?
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