Staring out of the window, cupping my favourite mug in my hands, I mutter to no one in particular: “Well, looks like rain later.” Leaning forward, I press play…
One always has a great sense that Vinny Peculiar is having fun at our expense. The opening track, The End, begins with the opening statement “This is the end,” repeated for emphasis. Conversely, the song is about fresh starts – “The future is brilliant”- and this is fitting as the 15th album from (aka) Alan Wilkes, is compiled from tracks that have been retrospectively polished.
The gleaming Pulp? or Stones? guitar intro of Shenstone College Disco ensures the disco is kick-started. The narrative unravels around a fleeting friendship with an American girl at the local Bromsgrove disco. And the cultural references are reflected back off the rotating mirror ball throughout…“thank God I remembered to change the sheets.”
The ethereal Love at the Garden Centre is a thumbnail sketch of a tryst at said garden centre. With a gardener’s eye for detail Vinny presents the blossoming relationship with all of the understated drama he can muster. Like Carver and Bukowski, Peculiar knows there is beauty in the mundane.
“Well, looks like those at No.5 have finally mown their lawn and about time.”
Track 5 is the whimsically romantic paean to the most salient of guitars – All I want for Christmas is a Gibson Flying V – and is mired in the 70s decade. The special mention of Jasper Carrot and Noddy will have those of a certain age nodding knowingly. The desires of a young man achingly longing for a Flying V are captured beautifully in the track. For me the backing singing suggests a classic Christmas song quality Noddy would approve of…and “the bus to Rubery,” sounds the most romantic of journeys.
The album takes you on a musical voyage and the rock riffs of Fine Art and the rock chops of Glam Rock Graveyard contrast with the ballad-esque tracks. The Nick Drake derivative that is The Man Who Loved You is a melodious counterpoise to the Flying V inspired rock “anthems”.
Inspirational art work for the album symbolises punctuation of a very English day; the front cover of the album depicts a finished boiled egg and empty toast rack, left over from breakfast; the reverse shows a stylised photo of the local Chinese takeaway at night, presumably taken on the way home. Vinny Peculiar knows there is beauty in the mundane. The inside cover is a photo with the declaration “Susan I Love You,” carved into a tree. This is all the inspiration Alan Wilkes needs for another song.
One senses Vinny Peculiar will probably never have the curtains twitching as he walks the streets or find the paparazzi invading his space and taking photos over a privet hedge. As we know, the English don’t like to make a fuss, unless it’s over parking or ignited on social media. Vinny Peculiar has even written a song about the phenomena – Fluffy Kitten – yes, he truly is the Prince of the everyday. The album Things Too Long Left Unsaid is even more satisfying than the first cup of tea of the day, from your favourite mug.
“Well, that went surprisingly well.”
Things Too Long Left Unsaid by Vinny Peculiar is available on Bandcamp and Spotify.
By: The Swilgate Scuttler