The Duckworth Lewis Method

The Duckworth Lewis Method


Angela Macari O’Looney

The resurrection of what was one of the finest bands in my book, The Electric Light Orchestra or E.L.O. isn’t a thing I’d complain about. It’s exactly what this wonderful collection of songs amounts to for me.

Perhaps nobody thought of it up until now, or perhaps nobody had the courage, but Meteor and Choice music award nominees The Duckworth Lewis Method, have successfully dipped their creative paintbrushes into the archives and picked out something exciting to work into their own melody lines and ideas. Who would have thought of writing about such a thing as Cricket? But even if you knew zilch about it, these excellent songs have humorous lyrics and are performed using exquisitely Posh diction.

Divine Comedy singer Neil Hannon’s unmistakable vocals feature on this CD, harmonies are close and you feel quite indulged, with the outstanding musicianship both he and Thomas Walsh (Pugwash) demonstrate throughout each number.

The Coin Toss

You hear the sounds of a summer’s day, Church bells and children at the beginning of this opening track. Gorgeous piano and synth then come in, to later be joined by an orchestra. Choppy chords accompany Duckworth and Lewis as they introduce each other in song and toss a coin to play a round of Cricket. Stylish hooks on Keys filter in, with a violin riff thrown in for good measure. This taster for what lies ahead is short but sweet, with delightful harmony.

You get Rock mixed with Ragtime in The Age of Revolution. It has a roraing twenties chorus, brass combined with flanger-laden funky guitar. With a jazzy ragtime riff that would make me think of sepia photographs and vintage cars, this is a lovely track!

Vocals in Gentlemen and Players are impressive. This has a wonderful melody, with a really special key change in the chorus. I like the way the chorus is repeated echo-style by backing vocals. Harmony is close. The pace reflects the song itself ; Gentlemen and Players play Sunday afternoon, Gentlemen and players play April, May and June. It’s laid back, with a trickling guitar and a flute airily playing somewhere in the distance.

The Sweet Spot is a bit of a wake-up call after the first tracks. It’s a good old fashioned Rock’n’Roll song, with a sexy strut to it. Piano glissandos, distortion-packed guitar chords and some delicious riffs and hooks throughout, all combine to give it socks.

Very musical comedy, Jiggery Pokery is a satirical piece about an unfair foul being taken by pure Aussi skulduggery in a Cricket match during The Ashes which was played in Old Trafford. I love Neil Hannon’s parody style and some of the witty descriptions; How such a ball could be so bold I don’t know but if you ask me, if it had been a cheese roll, it never would have passed me. This dry wit continues, plus the bouncy rhythmic piano and the melody line that reminds me a little of the B.B.C. cartoon Rhubarb and Custard.

After the hilarity of the previous track, you are treated to a laid back number, with a beautiful melody. Mason on the Boundary involves lovely harmony, piano and sweet guitars. The Orchestra coming in later on lifts the dynamic. Chords in the chorus are lovely. Close harmony for the last couple of lines is spectacular!

Rain Stops play is a wonderful composition with Oboe, Xylophone. It’s a short instrumental and sounds exactly like a Summer Shower, with raindrops tinkling down!

Meeting Mr. Miandad

A feel good sort of song, this has glorious harmony and lead vocals are sung by two voices in different octaves, creating a full sound. With a choppy beat, well placed key changes and a fantastic chorus, it has a very E.L.O. (Mr. Blue Skies) feel. A great sense of adventure in the lyrics plus a totally outstanding arrangement, are what make this my favourite number.

The Nightwatchman

This is a laid back song, with a lovely percussion and piano intro and a fab orchestral arrangement. It involves a subdued verse sung with minor chords, changing to uplifting majors for the chorus. Bass features here too and also there’s a delightful instrumental break, with piano performing a jazz solo. What starts out as a simple piece ends up being an elaborate composition. Neil Hannon’s voice features and he demonstrates his more sober side.

Flatten the Hay is like someone reflecting on his childhood summers, when he went to Arklow or Courtown. Musically it’s a masterpiece, with hooks and riffs that are dreamy, a choppy three four tempo, very like Strawberry Fields by The Beatles. Harpsichord lends to the idea of halcyon days and lost youth. Thomas Walsh’s vocals feature and the harmony once again is beautiful.

Test Match Special

This has a raunchy, distortion laden guitar riff intro with. It has a catchy melody with a slow rock beat and big choppy chords on Synth. Lyrics centre on Cricket. What a surprise! Show me the outfield from a Zeppelin. Show me the coin toss that we never win.
Guitars get to shine here, with bass and drums also featuring big time. A scorching lead solo features and there’s a general good ol’ Rock’n’Roll feel to things.

Last but not least is the grand finale of the album; The End of the Over. A gorgeous melody is played on keys using a Harpsichord effect, while a kind of countdown goes on in the background. Neil Hannon sings a repetitive chorus, Thomas coming in with a line and things wind down to a big piano crescendo. As at the beginning of the adventure, you can hear the church bells and a ball being batted, children and birdsong.

From an interview I heard with Miriam O’Callaghan, this coming together of two funny, but talented geniuses started out as a bit of a novelty.
But in my opinion it’s a journey of subtle key changes, seamless harmonies, top class music arrangements and is extremely entertaining.