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Isn't That Just The Life - download single

by Band Of Holy Joy

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‘I’m a sensitive girl, tougher than you’ sings Johny Brown in Band of Holy Joy’s new single ‘Isn’t That Just The Life’. This may be the first time he’s written from a female perspective, but I may have missed something over the years, after all Band of Holy Joy have had more personnel changes than The Fall, and are about to release their 19th album, ‘The Land Of Holy Joy’ on Stereogram Recordings in September.

As is their want, the lyricism on ‘Isn’t That Just The Life’ deals with the darker side of life, but the music and instrumentation are upbeat resulting in an uplifting almost Northern Soul-esque slice of a Summer which may never quite materialise. In a perfect world this would be Top Ten, but we live in a far from perfect world, yet Band of Holy Joy continue to have the ability to document ‘days in the life’ of random individuals lyrically, plumbing the lower depths of inner city urban existence and all that goes with it, and sugar-coating it with their trademark musical upbeat optimism.

‘Easy Listening (for Uneasy Times)’, the last long player released in early 2014 saw the band slimmed down to a six-piece. Exceptional reviews followed (see Press Pack), accompanied by a handful of well received European and UK dates, and a series of download singles celebrating ‘good living and bad livers’, the highlight being their tribute to George Best on ‘When a Gift is a Curse’.

Labelmate Lou Reid , chanteuse with Lola in Slacks offered this: “It’s a real gem. Love the opening line: ‘the tattoo on my pelvic bone is faded’ - Lyrics are especially great written from a girl’s perspective. Quite a celebration of the female spirit. Love it! Johny’s voice is a real heartbreak too”.

“Teenager stabbed on bus dies in best friend’s arms
Disabled work longer hours because they are grateful
Some nights I break I admit I just walk and I cry
But I’m going to change this world before I die”

‘Isn’t That Just the Life’ – Band of Holy Joy 2015

lyrics

ISN’T THAT JUST THE LIFE

The tattoo on my pelvic bone is fading
Fifteen years displayed on the palest skin
A fragile stem topped by a simple blue flower
It has been with me through the darkest of darkening hours

I am gone today but I’ll be here tomorrow,
I’ll trade all of my joy for some of your sorrows,
I’m a sensitive girl but I’m tougher than you,
it has always been this girl who has seen things through,
isn’t that just the life

Suicide mother gave girls spikey acid drink
Children in the street play with brightly coloured looms
We float about in a dream then the war is brought home
McCann troll found dead in a hotel room

I am gone today but I’ll be here tomorrow, I’ll trade all of my joy for some of your sorrows, I’m a sensitive girl but I’m tougher than you, it has always been this girl who has seen things through

Teenager stabbed on bus dies in best friends arms
Disabled work longer hours because they are grateful
Some nights I break I admit I just walk and I cry
But I’m going to change this world before I die

I am gone today but I’ll be here tomorrow, I’ll trade all of my joy for some of your sorrows, I’m a sensitive girl but I’m tougher than you, it has always been this girl who has seen things through

Isn’t that just the life
Isn’t that just the life
Isn’t that just the life
Isn’t that just the life

credits

released August 10, 2015
Written by Johny Brown & Mark Beazley
Recorded at Slowfoot Studios in Forest Hill by Frank Byng.
Produced by Frank Byng and Band of Holy Joy.
Executive producer – Tim Melia.
Mastered at Trace Recordings by Mark Beazley.

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Stereogram Recordings Edinburgh, UK

We are an Edinburgh based record label run by JEREMY THOMS with press and PR by journalist INNES REEKIE.
Artist roster includes LOUISE McCORKINDALE, CHRIS REEVE,
THE VINTAGE CALVINOS, THE CATHODE RAY, JAMES KING & THE LONEWOLVES, ROY MOLLER, ST.CHRISTOPHER MEDAL, THE FABULOUS ARTISANS, BAND OF HOLY JOY, LOLA IN SLACKS, NEW LEAF, MILTON STAR, THE EASTERN SWELL, STOOR and THOSE UNFORTUNATES
... more

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