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West Kirby Country Primary
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West Kirby Country Primary Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length solo release for the ex-The Coral guitarist was written and recorded in the house he grew up in.
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Top Track

Daniel
Lost in light or bound forever Honey it seems our love's together The ropes were warm And they came undone When we lost our little boy We tried so... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 5, 2015
    85
    Through the intelligent, measured expansion of the artistic characteristics for which he has been so respected since his departure from The Coral, Bill Ryder-Jones has confirmed his place among this country’s most vital contemporary songwriters.
  2. Q Magazine
    Oct 30, 2015
    80
    Life lived close to home, outside any metropolitan notions of centre, is continually apparent in these intimate melodic reveries, which mull romantic vicissitudes via folk-influenced acoustic and sometimes molten electric rock. [Dec 2015, p.113]
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  3. Mojo
    Oct 30, 2015
    80
    West Kirby Country Primary declares the vivid flowering of a great talent. [Dec 2015, p.84]
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  4. musicOMH.com
    Nov 5, 2015
    80
    Unmistakeably the best of Ryder-Jones’ albums to date, West Kirby County Primary is cathartic, sometimes desolate, but always raggedly enjoyable.
  5. AllMusic
    Nov 9, 2015
    80
    As personal and inward-gazing as Ryder-Jones' songs are, he imbues them with a weary comfort, inviting listeners along rather than detaching himself, and if making fine albums like West Kirby County Primary is his form of therapy, he's bound for success.
  6. Record Collector
    Dec 14, 2015
    80
    West Kirby County Primary sounds like it was recorded anywhere but. It’s a beautifully performed and produced record, tender, intimate and close, yet with moments of real physical power.
  7. PopMatters
    Nov 4, 2015
    60
    The material on show may be uneven, but there is more than adequate promise and sheer ability to make you think that one day Bill Ryder-Jones may deliver an absolute masterpiece.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. ToffeeBoy
    May 16, 2017
    8
    A few uplifting and sweet pop/rock singles in "Two to Birkenhead" and "Catharine and Huskisson", which break up the very dark-nostalgic themeA few uplifting and sweet pop/rock singles in "Two to Birkenhead" and "Catharine and Huskisson", which break up the very dark-nostalgic theme throughout. "Daniel" is an acoustic ballad with gut wrenching lyrics; 'Show us where it hurts, we'll see what we can do' Ryder-Jones sings in reference to his little brother Daniel, who sadly passed away.

    The little brother Daniel theme crops up once again in the proceeding track "Put It Down Before You Break It" that appears to show Ryder-Jones narrating his parents emotions, following the aftermath of Daniels death.

    Bill Ryder-jones has mastered a lyrical formula, that gives his words the power to imprint within the neurones of your brain and paint the listener a very detailed picture of events. None more so than "The dogs from downstairs started barking, Jill from next door is on nights and she'll be, **** fuming" as he dismissively hushes with a woolly-scouse twang.

    This album is patchy in moments, there's many broad lyrics on here that know what they want to say but fail to hit the point. "Wild Roses" showcases this, and so I find myself skipping this song. Having said that, the heights hit on songs such like "Daniel" and "Two Two Birkenhead" are so masterful, that the lesser moments are redeemed.

    A fantastic album from Ryder-Jones, If he deliberated on a few more of the songs in the track-listing I feel like he may have had a real masterpiece on his hands.

    Favourite Tracks = Daniel, Two To Birkenhead, Catherine and Huskisson, Put it Down Before You Break It, Tell Me You Don't Love Me Watching.

    Least Favourite Tracks = Wild Roses, Seabirds.

    8.2/10    … Expand
  2. Platendraaier
    Nov 9, 2015
    7
    Bill Ryder-Jones shows his strength as a songwriter and musician in both the fragility of the soothing sounds as the intensity of hisBill Ryder-Jones shows his strength as a songwriter and musician in both the fragility of the soothing sounds as the intensity of his emotions. His artistic qualities grow further in the interaction between tempos and instrumentation. Where his previous work contained too much repetitive sounds, on West Kirby County Primary he carries himself through different musical styles. With his profound lyrics, touching vocals and variety of melodies Bill Ryder-Jones has put down his best work to date.… Expand
  4. mrpringeek
    Nov 9, 2015
    4
    Boring as anything, Ryder-Jones drones through track after track with throwaway lyrics with very basic and raw instrumentals. Production onBoring as anything, Ryder-Jones drones through track after track with throwaway lyrics with very basic and raw instrumentals. Production on this album is very much lacking in quality and I swear to god, if he counts in the music one more time, I will scream with frustration.… Expand

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