Using a staccato and hesitant structure to draw the listener into this understated single is a clever device, and soon you find yourself wandering through a tense, emotive and gently anthemic (oxymoron? probably but you know what I mean) soundscape. One that has the pace and poignancy of a ballad but the power of a real stadium rock, fist in the air moment too.
Piano lines cascade through the horizontal spectrum, guitars subtly chop along the vertical, creating a broad but spacious platform upon which Scott slowly adds more sonic weight as the song runs its course. Space is slowly filled with resonant electric guitars and even more chiming piano charm but never enough to overbalance or overbear the song.
And then you get to the vocals. Not only are they impressive in their impact and delivery but the message is important too. Reaching back into history for the point of reference, Albino Road tells of the folk tale of the putting to death of two albino boys in the 17th century because of them being different to the norm.
Of course, the past is always seen as a less enlightened place when compared to the present, but are we not still using such differences to divide the human race rather than celebrating its diversity? Do we need reminding of our failings as a civilized society? Have we learned from the past? One quick look at the world around us today would suggest not.
Albino Road proves that music can be entertainment but it can be so much more besides.
