The Veils

“A Birthday Present“
from the album Nux Vomica
2007 (U.S.)
iTunes

Nux Vomica‘s cover perfectly reflects what’s inside — a moody shot of singer Finn Andrews smoking a cigarette, wearing a black suit on a black background. Like the record, it’s dark and classy and there’s a slight physical resemblance to Nick Cave, who along with The White Stripes is one of the few noticeable influences on the music.

Like many a classic album, too, the track listing is spot on. Opener “Not Yet” is not the strongest song here but it makes a fine introduction. Like music from some kind dark David Lynch western, the lyrics obliquely evoke a childhood psycho drama out on the prairie fields. “Not Yet” is an enjoyable listen though a little heavy, but immediate relief is provided by “Calliope” which is entirely different; the heaviness replaced by a less abrasive, melodic quality with some lovely trilled piano parts.

“Calliope” is really a warm up though for the wonderful “Advice for Young Mothers to Be,” on which Andrews sings a fine melodic tune, accompanied by swooning female backing vocals. In the same vein is “A Birthday Present,“ a treat indeed, again sprinkled with piano gold dust. Andrews’ lyrics are impressive indeed — classic, full of religious imagery and nay a modern reference, a ringtone or an iPod, to be found. Written down in the CD sleeve they look very much like poems.

Everything is wrapped up with “House Where We All Live,” a world weary track where Andrews imagines the modern world, or at least the male aspect of it, as a crumbling old country pile full of dysfunction and angst-ridden occupants, sighing, “I’m not sure God knows we’re here.” This is a really fine, assured album — ambitious, dark and poetic yet totally accessible.