Cornershop is the Singh brothers who started their indie rock band in 1991 in London. We owe their name to a stereotype, the one given to Indian shops: those on the "street corner". You may remember (especially if you are over 30 years old) their hit Brimful os Asha, remixed by FatBoy Slim. If so, you should like their 9th album. Indeed, England is a Garden is a collection of enjoyable globalizing brit-rock. Focus!
Rock, sitar and calypso
No complex structure, no abruptness at Cornershop. But the joy of rock "without roll", as advocated by No rock Save In Roll. Certainly, the rock'n roll references are there (it looks like hearing old Black Crowes titles). But the album really rises by using calypso with disarming ease in Everywhere that wog army roam, against the backdrop of this almost childish guitar. 
No more than 3 chords repeated throughout. The musical identity since their beginnings has been constant. So is the sitar. Combined with the flute well felt in Highly Amplified, it recalls the Indian and peaceful part of the British islands, such as Nitin Sawhney or Kula Shaker.
A perfect response to Brexit and lockdown
England is a garden is also the music of England that knows how to remain without borders. Good reminder, when we know that the reality is more made of visas and customs taxes. Cornershop pursues in its own way the hippie and Lennonian ideals of a world without nations, without an army. I'm a wooden soldier tirelessly claims it. It's even cooler when this intention is served by compositions like One uncareful lady owner. Adelicious disco soup of blues, mixed with Indian Tabla percussion, without an ounce of overplayed or nonchalant. These two pitfalls are those of most major English groups. They are avoided here. Perhaps precisely because the Singh brothers are free in their production rhythms, since they left Warner for the Merge label (that of the no less rebellious Arcade Fire). Maybe we too are a little freer, with this escape disc, which comes to the eventual bedside of the confined and exiled. England is a Garden is an album as old school as it is enjoyable! A success all in finesse of Cornershop, of which we let you discover an extract.
Cornershop – No Rock: Save In Roll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Z9p1OLZxY
