I’d always assumed that Valentines Day was an extension of American commercialism, but last night I was reliably informed (by my taxi driver) that St Valentine’s Day actually originated when a Russian King was burdened with a broken heart with the untimely death of his wife. All of which quite probable mythological hogwash, brings us to a Valentines day related song with a difference. The Earth a Cardiff based soul rock crew headed by the marvelously dexterous vocals of Dionne Bennett and driven by the drumming of Dafydd Ieuan are joined in a tragic tryst by the delicious vocals of Super Furries Head honcho Gruff Rhys for a throbbing, twisted slice of waltzing-synth-pop that’s burdened with the hell of a marriage in disrepair.
“Rhys joined one of the band’s sessions in Cardiff’s Strangetown Studios earlier in 2014 and supplied lyrics and vocals to the song. Having thumbed through fellow Super Furry Animal, Dafydd Ieuan’s copy of Christopher Hitchens’ book God is Not Great; he put the book down suddenly and came to his feet. A man entranced, Rhys captured his moment of inspiration in just two takes and promptly left for home. As the raw soul of Bennett’s voice screams the nightmare of being married to the song’s unnamed protagonist, Rhys sings:”
I’m a priest of God What would Jesus do? The ecclesiastical
I took my vows The goddam truth Elastic pastor
The diocese won’t allow The trinity’s for me Save the world
Holy Communion Honeymoon in Gallilee Bushes are burning
The Earth ft. Gruff Rhys, Married 2 Me sees Rhys join Super Furries drummer Ieuan on record for the first time since the band’s 2010 album Dark Days/Light Years. The Earth, also featuring former Catatonia guitarist/songwriter Mark Roberts and bassist Tristan Marley released their second album Keltic Voodoo Boogaloo in summer 2014.
