Of course, Oxegen is not the only major musical event kicking off this weekend. Starting this Saturday is The Ashes.
What’s that you say? “Cricket is not known for its great music”. Well, that was true……until now.
Neil Hannon and Thomas Walsh have put together a pet project of theirs called The Duckworth Lewis Method. The band and their album celebrate Cricket with 12 songs about the gentleman’s game, but being that The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon is involved, this is far more than just Cricket.
From the first innings, as the players introduce themselves (Hannon is Lewis and Pugwash’s Walsh is Duckworth) with the short and funny Coin Toss, this album is a treat. Mixed with music that shows their genuine love of the game and other songs that gently lampoon it, Hannon and Walsh may not convert me to the sport, but they’ve certainly given me a modicum of appreciation for it.
The first single from the album is The Age of Revolution, which could have been pulled directly from Divine Comedy’s Fin de Siècle. Telling the story of how Cricket has become a global sport, no longer for the sole enjoyment of the English gentry, this track proves that the band are taking this very seriously.
Now you’ve hit the sweet spot, it’s oh so fine,
Now you’ve hit the sweet spot like the sweetest wine,
I’m down on my knees to please you all the time.
The double-entendre laden Sweet Spot is brilliant bit of 70′s rock and Meeting Mr. Miandad, The Nightwatchman and Test Match Special stand out as particularly great music moments, but the highlight of the album for me is Jiggery Pokery. The story of Cricket star Shane Warne’s first bowl against Mike Gatting in 1993, told from the former Engalnd captain’s point of view, a first for pop music I suspect. It’s flippant, fun, smart and a song that I’ve had on repeat for days.
Jiggery pokery, trickery jokery, how did he open me up?
Robbery, muggery, Aussie skulduggery, out for a buggering duck
The Duckworth Lewis Method, so named for the complicated mathematical method for predicting cricket scores in rain-affected games, skirts the tentative line between novelty record and concept album, but those moments of light jest are always punctuated by Hannon and Walsh’s superb musical skills. Equally, the more high brow moments never take themselves too seriously. Would anyone want to sit down and watch a full gig of The Duckworth Lewis Method? Well, I sat on the ground on Grafton Street with a hundred other people last Friday, mesmerised by the band and when it was over, we all wanted more. This is far more than just Cricket.
For those already acquainted with Neil Hannon’s work, this album will be an easy addition for you. For those who are new to it, give it a few listens before dismissing it. It’s funny and silly and extremely clever.
The Duckworth Lewis Method is on release now – go buy it and let it be the soundtrack to your Summer, Cricket or no Cricket.
Can I have my ball back?
Sounds really good! Fair play to them, twas a risk but it could well pay off. I like the look of their website too.
Great photos too, sir.
Darren, you silly rabbit, the Ashes started yesterday. Ireland are playing Kenya right now. Come on Andrew White!
Great record this one. One of my favourites of the year. Jiggery Pokery is fantastic.
When I heard that it was an album about cirket I very much had my doubts but it’s great.
Not as heavily Neil Hannon influenced but great all the same. It’s very catchy even from first listen. People should really give this a go.