In the eighteen years since their formation Show of Hands have become an established fixture on the folk and roots scene in the UK. The blending of Steve Knightley’s powerhouse vocals and song-writing (plus useful guitar and mandocello playing) and the Phil Beer’s astounding multi-instrumentalism have assured them a place in the hearts of many a festival-goer. The semi-permanent addition of Miranda Sykes augmented their live (and now studio) sound.
Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed is the follow-up to their highly-successful and somewhat controversial album Witness, and the new direction is immediately obvious. Gone is the electronic studio sheen, and in place is a production that is sounds almost live in its immediacy with acoustic instruments. The disc opens with an adaptation of traditional shantys with ‘Lowlands’, before moving into another one of Steve Kinghtley’s regular controversial contributions (previous songs include both Cornish and English nationalism). This time Evolution has those who believe in a literal 7-day creation in its sights, with Steve singing with the conviction and certainty of a prophet (“The finger points in one direction/ That’s natural selection”) that would make a scientist blush – all to a great, driving arrangement.
For those who remember the 2007 ground of the ship ‘The Napoli’, the song of the same name will bring back memories of members of the public looting the containers. Here, the band provide their take – “Scratch Jo Public and what’s underneath?/ A looter, and a pirate, and a thief”. The album provides a variety of up-tempo material as described so far, with some haunting, tender songs of loss, love and loneliness.
The real stand-out track for me was the title track, ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed’ with its dizzying arrangement (and some fine Phil Beer fiddle-playing) and biting anger at the culprits of the current global financial situation – “At every trough you stop to feed,/ With you Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed”.
A great album from a duo that just seem to keep getting better!
