The Candle and the Flame is the eighth solo album by Australian singer-songwriter Robert Forster, released by Tapete Records on 3 February 2023.[1] It reached number 32 in the German charts.[2]
| The Candle and the Flame | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 3 February 2023 | |||
| Studio | Alchemix Studios, Brisbane | |||
| Genre | Folk-pop | |||
| Length | 37:03 | |||
| Label | Tapete | |||
| Robert Forster chronology | ||||
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Details edit
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Forster's wife, Karin Bäumler, was diagnosed the stage four inoperable ovarian cancer. While Baumler was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, Forster's mother died at the age of 94. Forster said, "I take solace from the fact she lived a long, happy life. My father died at 87. These are the kind of ages Karin and I are reaching for."[3]
Although many of the lyrics could appear to relate to Bäumler's illness, only one, "She's a Fighter", was written after the diagnosis. Forster said, "Karin talked of fighting for her health and a path through chemotherapy to recovery. The phrase came to me, and I knew immediately that it would work with my new melody. I needed just one other line for the lyric: 'Fighting for good'. The song was finished. I had written my first two-line song. I had just out-Ramoned the Ramones!"[4] Elsewher, he declared it, "The best six words I have ever written."[5] Bäumler, a violinist, played xylophone on the track as it was the only instrument she felt strong enough to play. "Music was a refuge. It was like taking an amnesia tablet." she said.[3] They were joined on the recording by their children, Loretta and Louis Forster (a former member of the Goon Sax).
Others to appear on the album included Adele Pickvance, a former member of the Go-Betweens, and Luke McDonald and Scott Bromiley of the John Steel Singers. With Bäumler unable to play her usual instrument, her violin teacher, Christine Dunaway, filled her role.[5]
Reception edit
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, The Candle and the Flame received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 86 out of 100 from 8 critic scores.[1]
The Guardian wrote, "The shadow of mortality hangs over The Candle and the Flame. It is startling in its intimacy and quiet power. But it is ultimately life-affirming. It's not very rock'n'roll. It's a lot more interesting and enduring than that."[6] Pitchfork wrote, "Forster has recorded a hangout album—with the people he actually hangs out with. The songs sound as fresh as morning air through open kitchen windows. it stands out because simpatico players have kicked around and toughened up the fuller, thicker-bodied ruminations."[7]
Uncut called the album a "freewheeling folk-pop wonder", noting Forster was "jettisoning ornamentation in pursuit of the raw fundaments".[8]
Track listing edit
All songs written by Robert Forster.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "She's a Fighter" | 2:13 |
| 2. | "Tender Years" | 5:28 |
| 3. | "It's Only Poison" | 4:35 |
| 4. | "The Roads" | 5:05 |
| 5. | "I Don't Do Drugs I Do Time" | 4:47 |
| 6. | "Always" | 4:06 |
| 7. | "There's a Reason to Live" | 2:35 |
| 8. | "Go Free" | 3:23 |
| 9. | "When I Was a Young Man" | 4:51 |
| Total length: | 37:03 | |
Personnel edit
- Robert Forster – acoustic guitar, vocals
- Louis Forster – bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, vocals, toy piano
- Adele Pickvance – bass, congas (tracks 3, 5 and 6)
- Luke McDonald – bass, vocals, piano, electric guitar (tracks 2, 4, 6 and 8)
- James Harrison – cello (track 4)
- Tony McCall – drums (tracks 6 and 8)
- Scott Bromiley – drums, organ, acoustic guitar, vocals (track 2)
- Loretta Forster – electric Guitar, vocals (tracks 1 and 8)
- Chrissy Dunaway Reilly – violin (track 4)
- Karin Bäumler – xylophone, vocals (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8)
Recording edit
- Jason Mitchell – mastering
- Victor Van Vugt – mixing
- Marly Luske – recording
Charts edit
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[2] | 32 |
References edit
- ^ a b "The Candle and the Flame by Robert Forster Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Offiziellecharts.de – Robert Forster – The Candle and the Flame" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ a b Lech Blaine. "For the Go-Betweens' Robert Forster, the beat goes on despite 'The Situation'". The Sydney Morning Herald.(Subscription required.)
- ^ David James Young (18 October 2022). "Robert Forster announces new album 'The Candle and The Flame', shares single 'She's A Fighter'". NME.
- ^ a b Robert Forster. "'The best six words I have ever written': Robert Forster on finding inspiration in his wife's illness". The Guardian.
- ^ Andrew Stafford. "Robert Forster: The Candle and the Flame review – intimate and life-affirming". The Guardian.
- ^ Alfred Soto. "The Candle and the Flame". Pitchfork.
- ^ Pete Paphides (3 February 2023). "Robert Forster – The Candle And The Flame". Uncut.