A Larum is the debut album by London-based folk rock band Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit, although it was released under the name of Flynn alone. It was released on May 26, 2008 in the UK, and July 29, 2008 in the US. The song "Tickle Me Pink" was featured as iTunes free single of the week. The title of the album is the Middle English word for "alarm," used in Shakespeare's stage directions to signify a disturbance occurring offstage, and Flynn "quite liked the idea that the noise happening offstage was this album".,[1] A Larum was nominated for the Xfm New Music Award (2009) and was also named as the 37th best album of 2008 by Paste Magazine.[2]
Reception
In her review for Allmusic, critic Katherine Fullton wrote "it quickly becomes clear that the Wit's intricate, meandering rhythms and melodies are a fitting complement to Flynn's straightforward delivery, augmenting lyrics that would also function as poetry outside of a musical setting... The tangible intimacy between Flynn and his group makes A Larum not only an introduction, but also captures the gentle, amicable nature that makes them such an inviting and satisfying listen."[3] Peter Hayward of musicOMH called the album "a marvellously accomplished and endearing debut that, while rooted in tradition and most easily described as folk, should have broader appeal beyond the beardy-weirdy set."[4]
Track listing
|
| 1. | "The Box" | 3:36 |
| 2. | "The Wrote & The Writ" | 4:07 |
| 3. | "Tickle Me Pink" | 3:11 |
| 4. | "Brown Trout Blues" | 5:02 |
| 5. | "Eyeless in Holloway" | 4:05 |
| 6. | "Shore to Shore" | 4:23 |
| 7. | "Cold Bread" | 3:29 |
| 8. | "Wayne Rooney" | 4:18 |
| 9. | "Leftovers" | 4:16 |
| 10. | "Sally" | 3:35 |
| 11. | "Hong Kong Cemetery" | 4:51 |
| 12. | "Tunnels" | 3:08 |
| 13. | "All the Dogs are Lying Down" | 4:13 |
| 14. | "Shore to Shore (Reprise)" | 1:27 |
|
|
| 15. | "The Ghost of O'Donahue" | 4:57 |
| 16. | "Old Tricks" | 3:51 |
