Bands don't seem to split now, the way they did in the old days. Not like The Beatles and The Smiths did for example, way back when. Through irredeemable personal and musical differences. Going their separate ways once and for all. Instead they seem to splinter or scatter, move off to separate projects before coming back together.
There was at least one proper old school group sundering in 2019. Ultimate Painting, one of my favourite bands of recent years, a collaboration between James Hoare and Jack Cooper which had produced three excellent albums together, went their separate ways due to some personal rancour apparently. A fourth album they had recorded together which was clearly a factor in their split was left unreleased.
A shame, but as it transpired not a disaster. Both Hoare and Cooper moved onto new or pre-existing projects and both produced fine records during 2019. Hoare with The Proper Ornaments and Cooper with Modern Nature. The Proper Ornaments Six Lenins was a neat, understated Indie guitar album the way they used to make them back in the late Eighties and early Nineties. Modern Nature's How To Live was a more layered, nuanced affair. A more considered record. And ultimately, a better one.
Cooper has been a considerable talent for some time and with How to Live which he worked on with Will Young also of Beak among others, he proved it once more. It's a wonderful blend of influence almost suggesting what might have transpired should Fairport Convention, Cluster and Roxy had chosen to work together in the early Seventies. A fascinating proposition and a record that more than lived up to its billing.
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