Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Gus Ironside discovers a warm and passionate album which challenges and inspires the listener to consider the fragility of life
Tiny Global Productions
Released: 16.06.23
Why Johny Brown isn’t lauded as one of England’s greatest lyricists is an unfathomable mystery. The North Shields-raised polymath has fronted Band of Holy Joy since the early ‘80s, but the group has had an astonishing run of form over the last seven years, with every new release surpassing its predecessor.
Fated Beautiful Mistakes continues this extraordinary upward trajectory. Brown’s lyrics challenge and inspire the listener to be fully alive and conscious of the beauty and fragility of life, while never shying away from the gravity of the state of the world in these disorienting times. Musically, Band of Holy Joy have reached a new peak, evoking Scott Walker, The Velvet Underground even Nelson Riddle-era Sinatra on this gorgeous, warm-hearted and passionate album.
