The Veils- ‘Nux Vomica’ (Rough Trade) Released 18/09/06

‘Nux Vomica’s cover perfectly reflects what’s inside - a moody shot of singer Finn Andrews smoking a cigarette, wearing a black suit on a black background. Like the record, it’s dark and classy and there’s a slight physical resemblance to Nick Cave, who along with the White Stripes is one of the few noticeable influences on the music. Like many a classic album too the track listing is spot on. Opener ‘Not Yet’ is not the strongest song here but it makes a fine introduction. Like music from some kind dark David Lynch western the lyrics obliquely evoke a childhood psycho drama out on the prairie fields.

‘Not Yet’ is an enjoyable listen, though a little heavy, but immediate relief is provided by ‘Calliope’ which is entirely different; the heaviness replaced by a less abrasive, melodic quality with some lovely trilled piano parts. ‘Calliope’ is really a warm up though for the wonderful ‘Advice For Young Mothers To Be,’ on which Andrews sings a fine melodic, tune, accompanied by swooning female backing vocals. In the same vein is ‘A Birthday Present’; a treat indeed, again sprinkled with piano gold dust. Andrew’s lyrics are impressive indeed - classic, full of religious imagery and nay a modern reference - a ringtone or an Ipod to be found. Written down in the CD sleeve they look very much like poems.

On ‘Advice…’ there’s the first hint of a seething anger amongst the poetic lyrics, “The tedious thought of the head of state / Are seldom ever worth repeating / Indelible stains on the human race / You hideous fakes and murderers.” The title track takes up the ante further and ‘vomica’ is entirely appropriate as it’s very much a spat out torrent of bile. Andrews ends up sounding like some drunken Holy Fool: “Why is the truth of this so hard to unveil? / though it true I never knew what this would entail / from the hands of Christ to the heads of the Daily Mail/ I’ll see you all…and I’ll raise you!” He spits out the ‘I’ll raise you’ with total venom..quality! And top marks for the referencing the Mail like some sort of sinister, powerful organisation; which of course it is. The most accessible moments on the album are ‘Under The Falling Branches’ and ‘One Nigh on Earth’ - the former a beautiful acoustic lullaby, the latter a Cure type number and the closest thing here to a standard catchy indie song. The bluesy ‘Jesus For The Jugular’ is harder and heavier than much of the rest and is the most White Stripes moment.

Everything is wrapped up with ‘House Where We All Live’, a world weary track where Andrews’ imagines the modern world, or at least the male aspect of it, as a crumbling old country pile, full of dysfunction and angst-ridden occupants, sighing – “I’m not sure God knows we're here.” This is a really fine, assured album - ambitious, dark and poetic yet totally accessible. There’s something for everyone - from radio 2 acoustic muso types to Nick Cave loving Goths.