Review: The Tower and the Fool - How Long

Isn’t it great how there are labels out there that you can trust again, a label whose taste you can put your faith in, it seems like that has been missing for a while. Run For Cover Records are one of a few labels who get me very excited when each new release is announced and so it is with much excitement that I first listen to their latest, the debut album ‘How Long’ by Rhode Island’s The Tower and the Fool.

The Tower and the Fool are a different prospect to what I would normally listen to, more in the Americana blues rock vein but it doesn’t take long to warm to their heartfelt, soulful songs. ‘Dive Bar’ opens the record with some downbeat indie rock, but it’s the open sincerity of the lyrics backed up with a gorgeous vocal tone that really draws you in. By the 2nd track ‘Scoliosis’ you’re hooked, this is the absolute stand out song on the record. It breaks your heart and has you singing along all at the same time. The chorus is reminiscent of ‘Wood/water’ era Promise Ring which is a big compliment in my books.

‘How Long’ as a whole has a great maturity about it, more than what you would normally expect from a debut full length. Songs like the title track ‘How long’ and the song that precedes it, ‘Fade away’ show confidence in the bands ability to make memorable and affecting pop songs. The record falls down in a couple of places, ‘Broken’ lacks the bite of some of the other songs and ‘Valentine’s day’ takes the country blues rock sound a bit too far for my taste. But these are only minor gripes as there is plenty here to keep you coming back for multiple listens.

If a band’s first album is of this quality then it’s very exciting to think of what kind of records they’ll be making 2 or 3 albums down the line. The Tower and the Fool have the beginnings of a really great rock’n’roll band, I was nicely surprised by how much I liked this record and can highly recommend that you check it out. ‘How Long’ is released through Run For Cover records on the 24th of April.

How Long is now available for pre-order at www.runforcoverrecords.com/store