‘My Father’s Eyes’ by The Lion And The Wolf (Single)

‘My Father’s Eyes’ is “all graceful licks and revealing melodies.”

Taking the singer-songwriter route through post-Radiohead indie, this single reveals The Lion And The Wolf to be an intriguing prospect

The Lion And The Wolf’s new 7” single My Father’s Eyes was conceived as an homage to songwriter Tom George’s father, who survived a heart attack last year. As is only to be expected from a piece of work that takes its inspiration from such a traumatic source, the mood is tender yet sober.

Opening with the aforementioned My Father’s Eyes, George’s songwriting has the feel of the more guitar heavy moments of mid-period Radiohead – think indie that has an appreciation for ambient touches. It strolls along with purpose, yet little intention of splitting into catharsis and its finest moments are when George lets his guitar speak for him – all graceful licks and revealing melodies.

Bar Stools follows, and closes the single in a more considered fashion. Adopting a style that gives Bon Iver’s heartfelt indie a subtle country wash, its slower tempo sees George’s haunting vocal and gift for a crushing melody given full attention. The addition of a sombre horn in the track’s middle section – reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel on their In The Aeroplane Over The Sea album – is an excellent touch and suggests that The Lion And The Wolf have more in their locker than your average indie band.

My Father’s Eyes will find favour among fans of both alt-rock and indie, as much as among those who take the sensitive singer-songwriter as their musical flavour. There’s a risk of rubbing shoulders too closely with the post-Radiohead approach to stand alone from the crowd. However, the promise of Bar Stools suggests that George’s songwriting is already evolving beyond this, and that soon enough The Lion And The Wolf will be an indie act of real note.

Verdict: Sombre and considered indie that’s brimming with potential

Damien Girling

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