A French Butler Called Smith – The Milkdrop Circus

CD Review by Graham Blackley

With a crystal clear production that reveals the depth and breadth of this combo’s diverse musical palette, The Milkdrop Circus grabs and maintains the listener’s attention from opening instrumental, “Send in the Clowns”, to epic closing track “Los Ochos”.

Like The Cat Empire (who I suspect may share some of their musical predilections), A French Butler Called Smith, is adept at lifting flagging spirits and instigating toe-tapping cheerfulness, with a rootsy sound that embraces a variety of influences and genres.

It’s actually challenging to maintain a dour demeanour, or a sluggish disposition, with jaunty tunes such as the funky “Spam Jam” grooving from the speakers and splashing colour upon the day with parping horns, slinky melodies, jazzy excursions and energetic percussion.

The band must go down a treat in sweaty clubs and jam-packed festivals, as the music they create is festive in spirt and execution.

Thanks must go to A French Butler Called Smith for providing such a delightful and heady surge of sonic adrenaline.