The Pineapple Thief – Versions of the Truth

 

The Pineapple Thief – Versions of the Truth

By Pete Clemons

Kids eh, who'd have em?

I don't know. You meet a partner, fall in love, maybe marry them and, quite often, raise a family. And then you spend the rest of your time worrying about that family. Their well being, their security and, in general, the world you have brought them into.

The last few albums that have been released by Bruce Soord, either solo or with his band The Pineapple Thief have, I think, tended to reflect these issues.

During 2018 the band released 'Dissolution' which looked at the issues around social media and the internet. Then came Bruce's solo album 'All This Will Be Yours', released during 2019. This is where, as a father, Bruce is almost guilt ridden for bringing children into this world.

And now his latest release 'Versions of the Truth' addresses the manipulation of truth and getting a narrative to fit your own agenda.

To be fair Bruce Soord has always written about matter of the heart. But it could be argued I guess that this particular theme, where Bruce appears to have delved deeper with a more incisive examination, began with his first solo album. That was a huge personal statement about how his life had changed and what had become of the corner of the world where he lives.

Within that album is a pair of bookended songs where, initially, a child is being spoken to by his parent. The next tune sees that child now having their own family and, in turn, speaking to their own children. These are truly touching songs.

Musically, 'Versions of the Truth', is as Bruce has already mentioned, a complete band effort. It is quietly dynamic with a highly polished and, to be quite honest, a flawless production level. The thing now is not to expect a new release to be comparable to the last.

Each of the musicians having been given a chance to reveal more of their own talents. Gavin Harrison's unmistakeable rhythms clearly cut through a good portion of the album. But listen closely to the bass and keyboards and you will hear some wonderful and incredibly complex elements. Bruce Soord's driving guitar has taken more of a back seat but has been replaced with more delicate subtleties. The album is choc full of complex and intricate rhythms that compliment the lyrics yet, at the same time, made to feel effortless.

So far I have found that this album is most enjoyable under headphones and the volume quite high. By detaching yourself you kind of become more of a part of the album. The atmospherics are more revealing and dynamic.

All parents suffer similar concerns and worries to greater or lesser degrees. I certainly have done. But things do change. Life does get easier as time goes on. With all its imperfections, your family does adapt to the world they have been brought into. They are tougher than you imagine. Quite often they become stronger than you ever expected. And, as time goes on and they have responsibilities of their own, the boot can gradually move to the other foot as much that they begin to worry about you. But deep down, they are still your family and the worrying never quite comes to an end.