Public Service Broadcasting - Every Valley

Public Service Broadcasting
Every Valley
2017
Spotify

Most of the time when I say an album is "important" it is because the way it moves you emotionally, it is rarely because it has something true to say to history. However most albums aren't Every Valley and most bands aren't Public Service Broadcasting. The concept of Every Valley is to make an album about the world of forgotten working communities, where people used to thrive and are now left with little than despair. Recorded mostly in Wales in a former Steel town, the albums self titled opener gives you this idea that you are taking a look at an old way of life, one that you actually witnessed the demise of. PSB's previous album The Race for Space was novel and moving in ways, but this record feels so much more emotionally charged with stakes for real people rather than somewhat mythical heroes. "The Pit" talks about the dangers of coal mining through PSB's usual arsenal of news clips, but makes it so much more about the individuals going down there even if their names are never mentioned. The sound is so incredibly well done on this record with strings, drums and horns creating this almost post-orchestral vibe. "People Will Always Need Coal" creates this almost Daft Punk dance sound then begins to tell the story of how venerated Welsh coal workers once were and how exciting the job may have once been seen as. It was steady work, the first time ever for many people, yet still with time we know that the facade of the coal industry would begin to crumble. Every Valley feels so meticulous, so cared for yet so full of heart like it just spilled out of someone's deepest emotional heart.

While much of the record is totally beautiful there are a few things that don't work particularly as well. First there is the song length; "You + Me" is incredibly beautiful, but at almost six minutes it is just far too long. It takes almost a minute before the song does absolutely anything, and though it feels totally like a closer there are still two songs after it. It is one thing to raise the tension or anticipation through playing out a line of music over and over but this record really does it far to much. Using actual singers rather than news clips works at times and can feel a little clunky in others. "Progress" has this really wonderful sung chorus, but "Turn No More" which features James Dean Bradfield is almost like an awkward version of grunge. "You + Me" also features singer Lisa Jen Brown of 9Bach singing in Welsh and while very pretty some of that novelty aspect and the overall message is a bit lost. "All Out" is a post rock song but sounds more Explosions in the Sky than it does Public Service Broadcasting. "They Gave Me A Lamp" is really the most inspiring song on the record and dives into female empowerment. This album just feels like it really matters and is an important piece of both art and history for us observe. It may not be for everyone with long extended periods of no lyrics, but honestly, it should be.

8.7 out of 10