Simon Bromide ‘Following The Moon’ Review: The Bromides’ frontman strikes out on his own with solo debut album.
As one 1/3 of the trio The Bromides, Simon Bromide (real name Simon Berridge) has earned a solid rep for his particular brand of indie rock. But with that group currently on hiatus, he’s venturing on his own with his solo debut Following The Moon (Dec 10, Cargo Records).
The album, recorded by Brian O’Shaughnessy (Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, Beth Orton) is a feel-good collection of laid-back alternative tracks that are tailor made for the fall and winter season, as evidenced by the autumnal charm of opening track and first single The Waiting Room, while follow-up Chinua Achebe begs comparisons to the likes of Lloyd Cole and Robyn Hitchcock, with a triumphant bass line and pleasing ambling delivery.
The Skehans Song, with its mix of spoken tavern voices and spirited delivery is a pub song of the first order, with an All The Young Dudes vibe, as Bromide waxes poetic about a colorful cast of characters, including Andy, who’s a pilot, he’s taking us to the stars/and who knows where we’ll end up, it could be New Cross it could be Mars.
Indeed, the specter of David Bowie appears throughout the record, including Reflections of Seating, a wistful ballad which ponders the question what if the Starman doesn’t come down?
Not That Type is full of more musical references, in this case a mix tape where one side is Led Zeppelin, the other side was Nick Drake, it was a perfect combination for my heartbreak, with a chiming indie rock riff and buoyant atmosphere.
The Argument kicks off with Spanish guitar and mournful trumpet (courtesy of Terry Edwards of Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and Tom Waits fame) before ending in a joyous anthemic chorus.
The title track mixes howling feedback with strummed acoustics, while Earth’s Answer, the closing song, feels like a sonic lullaby, full of astral grace and oceanic soundscapes.
2021 has been a stressful year, which makes Bromides’ peaceful, friendly collection of tunes a wonderful palate cleanser as we near the end of the year. The charming simple pleasures of Following The Moon will surely continue to massage jangled nerves in 2022 and beyond.
