Album Reviews
~ Live Reviews ~ Album Reviews ~ Features ~ Interviews ~ Quotes ~
Hung, Drawn & Quartered - April 2010
"Coming out of Brighton with a sound like incarnated nightfall, Bitter Ruin are primed for the release of their third audible offering, the yet-unlaunched album entitled Hung, Drawn & Quartered. Comprised of Ben Richards and Georgia Train, two musicians whose disparate influences and collective talent sees Ben playing guitar and the two of them sharing vocal duties, Bitter Ruin have created something truly remarkable with this their third and latest recording. Set for a May 26th launch date, Bitter Ruin have prepared their magnum opus in the multilayered compositions nestled within the sepia-toned wrappings of Hung, Drawn & Quartered.
Bitter Ruin have been garnering a growing wealth of attention for their particular and seemingly peerless musical flair, and rightfully so. Between Georgia’s astounding vocal range, occasionally likened to the likes of Fiona Apple and Nina Hagen, and Ben’s multifaceted performance with both the acoustic guitar and supporting vocal harmonies, Bitter Ruin weave a style of music that has never quite been touched by another artist or performer. Refreshing and alluring unlike anything heard before, Hung, Drawn & Quartered is the perfectly captured essence of all that Bitter Ruin has come to stand for.
The songs democratically elected for inclusion on Hung, Drawn & Quartered by way of Bitter Ruin’s Video Diaries range from scorn-strewn stories of struggle through personal hurt to delicate wisps recounting various emotionally charged narratives. The album hosts a myriad of narrative perspectives, but not a one of them is beyond the listener’s grasp or understanding. The lyrical concepts are infused with genuine passion and sentiment that, as a listener, one can instantly sympathize and effectively identify with. The lyrics alone are clever and well-crafted, but it is the brilliantly orchestrated layers of vocal and instrumental melodies, the interchanging harmonies, that drive each song to the heart of the listener with a much-unexpected thrust of empathy.
One such song is Hung, Drawn & Quartered’s opening track, Chewing Gum. Beginning with softly strummed acoustic notes and harmonic singing played over the subtle crackle of a vintage record player perfectly frames the ambience of the songs to follow as well as Bitter Ruin’s entire aesthetic. From here the song waltzes on in the verses and builds to the drama-drenched chorus and back, musically reflecting the fragmented emotional and mental state that so often befits Bitter Ruin’s lyrical narrators. This song in particular depicts the predicament of one stuck in a relationship that they can’t escape, despite all their efforts. It’s a concept that may appear simple on the surface, but when really focused in on, as in Chewing Gum, the truly damaging repercussions of a negative relationship can be witnessed, stuck to the speaker like the song’s beslobbered namesake.
Bitter Ruin’s darkly emotive and characteristically cabaret-compared musical wont pervades the whole of Hung, Drawn & Quartered, painting the album from the palettes of moonlit gardens and abandoned Victorian tenements. Stand to Attention is another such song that really serves to demonstrate the range of passion and prowess within Bitter Ruin’s compositions. Within this one 5:21 song, the tempo and pacing of the song rockets in every conceivable direction, but not once do Bitter Ruin lose control or even feign to show anything but their mastery here. The song kicks off at a staggered pace with Ben strumming and shouting in short bursts to accompany Georgia’s vocal narration, after a moment of which they both go into a sprint of instrumental and vocal performance which stands all the more stark when the song slows to its brief and ethereal chorus.
As a listener, there is no other artist or performer that can alternate between evocative emotions as succinctly as Bitter Ruin. As the tempos shift this way and that in Stand to Attention, building up to the song’s heart-rending climax, the listener is tossed around as if they are adrift on a stormy ocean of crashing staccato and impassioned ululation, and then calmed upon moments of delicate plucking and barely audible seraphic serenading. If Bitter Ruin only wrote one song, and that song only consisted of the final portion of Stand to Attention, they would still blow me away and be worthy of exultation. That’s how much I love this song. The comparison is tired, but apt: in listening to Georgia’s vocal performance on Hung, Drawn & Quartered, I can only liken her style to that of a bird, beautifully aloft upon her melodies that fluctuate so sublimely with such fluid control, holding notes perfectly for unbelievable durations. The vocal aspect of Bitter Ruin lifts the heart in a way that words don’t do justice. If the offerings encased within Hung, Drawn & Quartered don’t stir your heart to pounding and eyes to welling, you might just need buried.
If you appreciate indie or folk or the whole gothic neo-noir cabaret mash-up, don’t let this album or this band pass you by. There’s no doubt that Bitter Ruin are going places, and they are going fast, so be sure to tilt your ear and fix your gaze in their direction. Hung, Drawn and Quartered is a beautiful collection of songs that don’t only serve as musical entertainment; they are not just empty ideas. The songs Bitter Ruin conceive touch the heart and encourage perseverance and hope, they encourage struggle towards the light in every degree of darkness and abuse.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in A Brand New Me. Touching to the point of heartbreaking, Bitter Ruin offer the narrative of abuse and great personal shame to encourage hope and continual perseverance. I can’t make it through without a tear, and it is that kind of emotional integrity that any true lover of music cannot afford to ignore.
Bitter Ruin have a lot to say, and they have an energy and dedication to their fans that makes their latest release a landmark of music. It’s endlessly enjoyable, and a real treasure. Don’t let it pass you up, because it is definitely worth your attention."
Rodney Wilder - Associated Content
* * * * *
Hung, Drawn & Quartered - April 2010
"Bitter Ruin push the boundaries on their third and best album. Made up of Ben Richards on guitar and Georgia Train on lead vocals they have a dramatic sound. Georgia's lyrics are honest and extremely emotive, the dark themes of “Limp” and “A Brand New Me” are handled with sensitivity and the raw emotion can move even the iciest of hearts. Georgia's large range and Ben's driving guitar make the tracks stunning. This album is a triumph and a must listen it will not fail to move you."
Jonathon Greenall - Hullfire
* * * * *
Hung, Drawn & Quartered - April 2010
"Firstly, the facts. "Hung Drawn & Quartered" is the third album from Bitter Ruin. Bitter Ruin are Ben Richards and Georgia Train. What follows is less factual and more opinion. Less a proper critique and more a reflection on what the music made me feel.
This album is no easy listen. You can't just play it in the background and it would probably make your head fall off if you played it on the godless communism that is an iPod. You see, this is theatre. An exposition of the malevolence found in the human soul, if you like. Or a collision between fairytales and Brecht. What else could explain the wondrously melodramatic voice of Georgia Train or Ben Richard's staunch leading man to her diva-esque persona?
Vengeance was always going to be on the agenda, lyric wise. That's no surprise and "Chewing Gum" shows that very act and its consequent descent into madness as if it were the soundtrack to a flickering black and white movie from the days before sound. "Soundproof" fills the air with de-keyed words of the wisdom on consequence with Ben and Georgia alternating vocals like some modern day Johnny and June running into the devil's arms on Highway 666.
Delivering Amanda Palmer levels of black stallion drawn drama comes easy to this duo as they turn their attention to false gods and tortured souls in "Stand To Attention" twisting words and music into a Spanish flavoured maelstrom of emotion. Yet, there's even something a bit mainstream hidden away at the end with the quirky and eminently memorable "Outrageous" but even that is delivered with a degree of intensity that makes wearing a flak jacket advisable. There is always darkness to be found in the soul but there is always light to be found on stage (and that pretty much sums up this album).
"Hung Drawn & Quartered" won't be to everyone's taste and it isn't without its flaws but Bitter Ruin burn with an intensity that makes most other bands look like damp squibs. Is it art? Most certainly."
Rating: 5/5 Carrots!
Blues Bunny
~ original article ~
* * * * *
Hung, Drawn & Quartered - 23rd February 2010
"Bitter Ruin are Ben Richards (guitar and vocals) and Georgia Train (vocals) a dramatic theatrical duo from Brighton. They have played together for about two years and have so far released “We’re not Dancing” (EP).
This music is like a musical theatrical performance between two people with a big love for cabaret folk. The interaction between the leading parts is just something that makes this music so remarkable and something you just don’t forget.
The vocals are powerful, yet so vulnerable and give a good basic for the debut album that will be released on May 26."
Acuvi Review
~ original Article ~
* * * * *
Beware - 9th January 2010
"I’ve always had a weakness for narrative music videos, especially when what they do is take a little from the song and then develop a wholly new situation. Bitter Ruin’s new video is exactly like that. There is something frightening about it, right out of a CSI episode, with the dead coming to life, singing to each other in a way which strangely fits with the lyrics.
This band from Brighton combines ethereal atmospheres with really good use of vocals. There is something cabaret-like about them, along the lines of Tiger Lillies, Emilie Autumn or Dresden Dolls, but more subtle. They have a few dates lined up for Brighton and London in the upcoming months, my advice is: go see them – apparently, their engaging and bizarre live performances are their asset."
Art-Star - Alice Tradegy
~ original article ~
* * * * *
Artist Spotlight - 20th September 2009
"Right now I am loudly listening to the entire “We’re Not Dancing” CD on repeat as I am home alone, and it is entrancing…
“Outrageous” has highly skillful and impressive vocal fluctuation from Georgia. Their name seems very fitting with this song as it comes off to me as deliciously bitter. I enjoy the sense of empowerment that she portrays at the end with lyrics such as, “He’s the one that needs to be scared“.
“Soldier” starts off slowly with a beautiful and tormented sound (and lyrically may appeal to fans of BDSM, or enlighten them :p) and includes beautiful acoustic guitar playing, and at the end it explodes with passion and anger.
“I’m Going to Be a Murderer” is a dose of black humor with many of it’s verses sung in a quirky manner (slightly reminiscent of Skybox), followed by beautiful soprano backups during Ben’s singing at the end. Of course I love the feline references too.
“Beware” is probably my favorite song for Ben. He starts the song off softly, and and as his vocals alter and become increasingly powerful it really shows off his vocal skill. I adore Georgia’s backups during the song when he sings, “And you’ve left your marker…”, the swap they do with him singing and her doing backups, followed by a burst of the word “tall” intensely sung by both.
Any song I have not mentioned is only my own fault, it does not deserve to be left out! Every song on that CD has a very different feeling to it and I love them all!"
Mistress Ravine
~ original article ~
* * * * *
We're Not Dancing - August 2009
"This duo have been described as Indie Folk and I for one wouldn't argue with that. Traditional Folk lovers will hate this release as Bitter Ruin break all the rules but that isn't a bad thing as most of those people are boring anyway! Ben and Georgia just do it their way and in doing so have written some pretty cool numbers such as 'Outrageous', 'Soldier' and 'I'm Going To Be A Murderer'. Both Ben's and Georgia's vocals gel so well despite having different vocal techniques and that's what makes this release. Musically there's some great bits of guitar, piano and bass and that's what makes this release so damned cool. If you're looking for something a little different then give Bitter Ruin a listen. 7.5/10"
Steve - Street Voice Magazine
* * * * *
We're Not Dancing - October 2008
"This darkly theatrical duo certainly relish a murderous ballad or two. Menacingly pulsating piano and dramatically intricate guitars, often building to haunting crescendos - particularly evident on the gorgeous Soldier - back up Georgia Train and Ben Richards' intensely harmonised vocals. There are, however, moments when the greasepaint and limelight theatricality overpower somewhat and the album becomes more Lloyd Webber/Rice than nick Cave and PJ Harvey. But perhaps it is these that don't translate well in the studio, [that] form the core strengths of the twosome's reportedly spectacular live act."
LB - Source
* * * * *
We're Not Dancing - October 2008
"Brighton boy-girl acoustic partnership Bitter Ruin have built up a strong local following. With their debut album, We're Not Dancing, out now, they confirm their status as one of Brighton's very best bands. Blending idiosyncratic, melancholy vocals with Dresden Dolls-style cabaret theatricality, they may not be dancing, but they sound amazing."
Latest 7
* * * * *
'Download of the Week' - 10 October 2008
"Taking their asthetic from the folk-gothic world, Bitter Ruin is based around the duo of Ben and Georgia. Their songs are intricately plotted duets, mostly about love gone wrong, building from intricate twinkling to choppy, percussive, stomping choruses or, as in this week download Trust, blisteringly fast call and response. The pair already have one album under their belts, and are releasing its follow-up later this month."
Mark Dishman - The Argus
* * * * *
Bitter Ruin - December 2007
"Noirish folk that's recorded all too bright, clear and ultimately harsh to create the right atmosphere that the dark lyrics allude to. The demo we had the other month did it right. This misses what this band should be about."
Meatbreak - Source
* * * * *
MySpace Demos - August 2007
"An acoustic two-piece may not seem like the most versatile of combinations but this duo make the most of the dynamic, with his guitar wrenching out some forceful twists underneath her dark and surreal Kate Bush-style storytelling, moving the sounds from pretty to angry on a beat."
Meatbreak- Source
* * * * *
Bitter Ruin - August 2007
"Bitter Ruin have caused quite an unparalleled stir in Brighton's alternative, acoustic cauldron already, and have decided to release their debut EP."
Absolute Mag
* * * * *
