{"product_id":"the-reds-pinks-and-purples-acknowledge-kindness","title":"The Reds, Pinks and Purples - Acknowledge Kindness","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Fog Glass' colour vinyl\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy Glenn Donaldson's outrageously prolific standards, it's been quite the stretch since we last heard new material from him (last year's The Past Was A Garden I Never Fed doesn't count given it was a compilation of older Bandcamp material), which in honesty, was probably for the best. Audience fatigue afflicts even our most beloved artists, and since The Reds, Pinks \u0026amp; Purples flew out the gate in 2019, they've been a constant source of hits that wont quit that have become impossible to miss. Acknowledge Kindness, Donaldson's first album proper for Fire, is notable not only for arriving following the uncharacteristic break, but also comes packed with songs we've never heard before (previous albums were often comprised of several songs already heard online in various spots) and a more robust production that extends the project beyond the bedroom\/kitchen sink compositions of much of the rest of the catalogue. Lyrically, the focus feels familiar, as Donaldson's always hugely emotive voice details the indiginities and potential triumphs of various labours of love, flip-flopping between self-doubt and indefatigable intent, often in the same song. I'd still not call this a studio record (Donaldson is a DIY maven of little rival), though the sonic palette is broader, at times even epic sounding, the guitars more vast, and keys ornamenting various emotional transgressions for added effect. Donaldson's long-stated love for American Music Club feels more obviously pronounced here, and while most usually seem to hear The Smiths, I think there's the more arcane influence of East River Pipe and the long-forgotten Butterflies of Love at play somewhere in here, albeit, as always, with a very adept and unique melodic understanding.  And funnily enough (and take this as you will), the closing entirely instrumental title track even reminded me of early period Suede in its widescreen sweep. The Reds, Pinks \u0026amp; Purples are too consistent to declare a 'return to form' or a 'best yet', though Acknowledge Kindness does, in advance of all its other merits, show the value in taking your time to set up a return. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFFO: American Music Club, East River Pipe, The Butterflies of Love\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cargo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57109366636921,"sku":null,"price":23.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/1380\/6921\/files\/TheReds_PinksandPurplesAcknowledgeKindness.jpg?v=1776697879","url":"https:\/\/worldofechomusic.com\/products\/the-reds-pinks-and-purples-acknowledge-kindness","provider":"World Of Echo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}