The collaboration between
Primal Scream-frontman Bobby Gillsespie and former
Savages-frontwoman Jehnny Beth is an interesting concept. The pair wrote an entire album around an imaginary divorce. Moreover, they didn't elaborate on that idea within their common (punk)rock idiom, but took inspiration from country duets. With melancholic and compelling country and Americana, they give shape to a marriage
… that is falling apart. Beth in particular stands out with her gentle and subdued way of singing. Gillespie, with his somewhat wailing way of singing, follows in the footsteps of Neil Young. The stretched guitar chords and warm piano arrangements add emotional undertones to the story. Even though Utopian Ashes is about a broken relationship, the collaboration between Gillespie and Beth turns out to be a golden marriage. (JvQ)more
