This is an early self-released EP by the wonderful My Life Story who were a kind of flamboyant, major-key parallel band to The Divine Comedy or The Auteurs, releasing some gorgeous orchestral and baroque string-driven pop.
Busting a twelve-piece, heavily orchestral line-up, singer/songwriter/driving force Jake Shillingford cut a maverick figure in the pre-Britpop years - maybe something of a precursor to the wonderful Patrick Wolf, though going a little easier at the dressing-up box.
My Life Story later signed to EMI but never made the breakthrough they deserved and faded away, seemingly embittered by the experience of being processed through the major label machine. According to the Jake Shillingford website, he now lectures on the importance of autonomy in the music industry.
This EP shows them in fine form. 'Funny Ha Ha' is piled with swirling strings, catchy melodies, memorable lyrics and is utterly irresistable with 'Funny Peculiar' a companion, stripped-down chamber/lounge version. 'The Lady Is A Tramp' is a driving, strident groover and 'These Words Are Haunting' is a moodier end-of-the-relationship ballad, draped in picked and strummed acoustic guitar and some crazy flute.
A top quality EP package.
B-sides/rarities and greatest hits CDs are available direct from Jake Shillingford's online store and are highly recommended.
Tracklisting:
1. Funny Ha Ha
2. The Lady Is A Tramp
3. These Words Are Haunting
4. Funny Peculiar
Download My Life Story 'Funny Ha Ha EP' (320k mp3, ZIP) (Mediafire)
Stumbled by your site for the first time today and will have a more in depth look around at a later stage but wanted to congratulate you on posting this excellent track. I raved about it at the time and utterly fell for the spellbinding MLS, hook, line and sinker!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the props Max. Yes, I'd forgotten how great they were - especially the first album. Reading Jake Shillingford's blog posts etc it would appear he really regrets signing to EMI. Some great songs on the second album - 12 Reasons is a corker - but they definitely ran low on momentum.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Stephen.