The Ninth Watch are an alternative rock, folk, electro infused band from Manchester, whose contemplative brand of music is essentially easy-listening with an experimental twist, making their soundscape, in parts, pleasantly disjointed. It’s an interesting turnaround, making The Ninth Watch a very musically accomplished and diverse band. Comprised of Stephen Ahern on vocals/guitars, Mike Fieldhouse on rhythm guitar, Ian Holden on bass and Matt Ryan on drums, The Ninth Watch are classically crafted, whilst unravelling a backdrop of subtle sound effects and customised inserts. As a frontman, Ahern sounds like a cross between Guy Garvey and Paul McCartney, whose mellow, but robust tones stand their ground against the layered and long-winded sounds. Having headlined gigs around Manchester, The Ninth Watch are back in the studio and accumulating a solid fan base along the way.
Forever A Long Time:
Just as you are getting used to their melancholy and emotional maturity, The Ninth Watch uproot their soft tones, creating a dance-infused song such as “Forever A Long Time”. As a standalone single, “Forever A Long Time”, pulsates with an early 90s dance vibe, whilst meshing up with an undertow of baroque pop and jangly riffs. It’s a busy and fast mover, which mutates and synchronises creating a euphoric and excitable song. Along with its clanging, piano-esqe and digital-beat synths, “Forever A Long Time” is seduced by a sneaky layer of menacing synths, likened to Massive Attack, which reverberate and then edge in the recesses of the song. Through the fleeting wave of haunting violins and echoed vocals, “Forever A Long Time”, is swept towards a pensive horizon, which is soon eclipsed by the restless union of multi-faceted sounds.
A Fortunes Wheel:
“A Fortunes Wheel” chugs and glides with a wholesome sentimentalism, which is filtered through the rich soundscape. With its curling, jangly and plucky acoustic riffs, “ A Fortunes Wheel” evokes a strong sense of guitar dexterity, which blends effortlessly with Ahern’s gentle, laid back vocals. It’s meticulously crafted and whose undercarriage of violins and accordion reinforces the Ninth Watch’s folky roots. It’s an amiable song, whose thought provoking lyrics complement the intricate details of the song. Lyrics such as “Fortunes Wheel, you know that it turns, it spins in for all of us…” synchronises with the skittish piano, dragging synths and whirling riffs that subtly embellish the mood and feel of the song.
The Optimist:
With its opening drones and fusion of sounds, “The Optimist” manifests itself as a contemporary, soft rock ballad, which is reinforced through Ahern’s ponderous and dual vocals. It’s a misty number, whose puddles of synths and trail of jangly, reverberating riffs create an intangible barrier for the emotionally driven lyrics to seep through. Lyrics such as “Don’t let her go, it’s not too late, the answer you see feels like it’s ruled by fate” is delivered through slow-motion vocals, which encapsulates the windswept ambience of the song.
Apples of My Eye:
“Apples of My Eye”, merges as an upbeat, breezy song whose sweeping violins, tinkling acoustics and tap-tap beats which soon manifest into an aching catharsis. Lyrically raw “Apples of My Eye” goes on emotional autopilot with its repetitive chorus, of: “When we send goodbye, I burnt all the lies in the apple of my eyes”. Along with the quivering violins, it’s Ahern’s fluctuating vocals that reinforce the songs motif, which help build the song to its dramatic crescendo.
Brave Bombardier:
With plucky acoustic guitars, percussion grasps and dramatic thuds, “Brave Bombardier” is reminiscent of 1960s Mersey Beat sound, which has been given a melancholic make-over. It’s a gloriously moody song, which is meticulously packaged and conveying a deep set of emotions. With its sweeping cello, solemn military beats and oblique riffs, “Brave Bombardier” marches in solitude along a nebulous path. It’s also through Ahern’s brooding and slanting vocals, that “Brave Bombardier” encapsulates the sentiments of the song. Lyrics such as: “His uniform is as crisp as the first day of issue and forever more…”, demonstrate Aherns skill at creating an animated narrative which is steeped in emotional baggage and nostalgia. Reinforced through the haunting sounds of church bells and muffled voices, “Brave Bombardier” illustrates Ninth Watch’s skill at mastering a profound, emotive song, which is customised through an atmospheric backdrop of sounds.
Concrete Boots:
With it’s Doves-esque electro-muffled vocals, “Concrete Boots” is again testament to The Ninth Watch’s skill of creating an electronic and guitar infused sound. It’s a raucous stomper, whose assault of electronic fuzz circumnavigate around the introspective lyrics.”I’m sinking, I’m sinking faster than it feels…” Musically measured, Concrete Boots is fabricated by the clumpy drums, intricate flicker of digital and whirling synths that play in juxtaposition against the zig-zag rifts. It’s a mixed burner, which immediately soars to prolonged crescendo and whose repetitive vocals of “the end, the end,..”, completely consume the song.