Cherry Ghost: Herd Runners

Those of you who reckon you've never heard anything by Simon Aldred – the man behind Cherry Ghost – might be surprised to find you're humming his 2007 single, People Help the People. Well, maties, you're humming it because the same song was the breakthrough hit for teenage singer Birdy. Not that Cherry Ghost need such reference points – Herd Runners is the Bolton band's third album, and it arrives stuffed with evocative, resonant songs that the overly cynical might describe as sounding a lot like Elbow. Which means, in effect, a familiar north of England blend of rugged warmth, melancholy and resilience in matters of the heart, all wrapped up in low-tempo melodies, layered instrumentation and often glorious string arrangements. Key words: sumptuous, subtle, ambitious, radiant. cherryghost.co.uk Download: Clear Skies Ever Closer, Love Will Follow You