A Prize Every Time - The Greatest Bits

by The Low Countries

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Album includes live versions of 'A Journey' and 'Forever Comes' plus two bonus tracks, photos and press release

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Failing of the Strains - Live 2008, Betty's Boudoir Sessions Vol. II, The High Ones, Sundries, Betty's Boudoir Sessions, We Weathered The Storm, An Extended Play, A Prize Every Time - The Greatest Bits, and 7 more. , and , .

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1.	At The End of The Day 03:16	lyrics	buy track
Downing wine to kill the time, the day is young Like a moth to a flame you’re waiting again, for your time to come Why don’t they, why don’t they Do the things they say? People you meet, the'lly lie and they'll cheat At the end of the day. You can’t get your head round the things they said, were never so. They twist and they turn so the more you learn, the less you know. Why don’t they, why don’t they Do the things they say? People at heart, they're cold and they're dark, at the end of the day What will it take, your heart on a plate To find some trust? But your face don’t fit so down you slip Towards the dust Why don’t they, why don’t they Do the things they say? All that you planned, will crumble to sand at the end of the day
2.	Brian Cox's Locks 01:52	lyrics	buy track
If they should send up a Voyager III Well I don’t now but if you ask me Forget the gold plaque in a box And send up some of Brian Cox’s locks (Cox Cox, Brian Cox’s locks) A wonder of the solar system We got grey hairs but Brian’s missed ‘em The Universe is vast and cold So thank the stars that Brian isn’t bald There must be sentient beings out there Who’ve never seen his lovely hair (Cox Cox, Brian Cox’s locks) So many wonders man has to offer Forget the Blur song it’s Brian’s coiffure Send it hurtling at the speed of light Fringes of the universe unite There must be sentient beings out there Who’ve never seen his lovely hair (Cox Cox, Brian Cox’s locks) (Cox Cox, Brian Cox’s locks)
3.	The Weatherman 02:23	lyrics	buy track
Should’ve seen me yesterday Was all the things I’m not today Sun is lost, I am blue But don’t worry, it’s not you It’s the weatherman, it’s how I’ll be Gonna be the death of me It’s the weatherman Oh the doldrums feel like home Chill my soul to the bone Heart is black, skies are grey Cannot face the day today It’s the weatherman, it’s how I’ll be Gonna be the death of me It’s the weatherman Storms are brewing in my brain And my spirits fall like rain Sun is lost, I am blue But don’t worry, it’s not you It’s the weatherman, it’s how I’ll be Gonna be the death of me
4.	Putty 02:33	lyrics	buy track
You can read me like a book you can get yourself immersed. You can even take a look at my last page first. Tonight I’m a slave to your pheremonal glands. I’m putty in your hands. Tie me down or tie me up I won’t put up a fight. Give my heart-strings a pluck, you can pluck me when you like. To hell with the righteous and blessed are the damned. I’m putty in your hands. You’ve got me crawling the floor You’ve got me begging more, begging more, begging more... I’m lost in your orbit, so bring me in to land I’m putty in your hands.
5.	Don't Let It Be You 03:16	lyrics	buy track
The sun and the moon Cannot lift off the gloom And the songs are all mellow and blue It’s not healthy to be so downhearted like me So please, don’t let it be you… No surprise it’s a boy Played my heart like a toy Once more I haven’t a clue They’ll tell you goodbye Leave you wondering why So please, don’t let it be you…. Is it worth all the trouble To give them your heart When you know it’ll end up in two? Is it worth all the trouble? Well all I will say Is please, don’t let it be you… The sun and the moon Cannot lift off the gloom And the songs are all mellow and blue It’s not healthy to be so down hearted like me So please, don’t let it be you Please don’t let it be you
6.	Handmaid's Blush 02:44	lyrics	buy track
Generations have come some have come and gone but this ones no longer needed no more Battered bruised undone, they’ll be all unsung, they’re rotten rancid to the core There’s a skin so smooth sweet and creamy white Flesh to touch and be shared Pair her off with our Lord oh you know I’m right The Handmaid’s Blush must be spared The Handmaid’s Blush must be spared They boast roots in our land they can’t flourish here the boats need filling before I return The young and the strong are all good for building, the old and the dead ones must be burned There’s a skin so smooth sweet and creamy white Flesh to touch and be shared Pair her off with our Lord oh you know I’m right The Handmaid’s Blush must be spared The Handmaid’s Blush must be spared There’s a skin so smooth sweet and creamy white Flesh to touch and be shared Pair her off with our Lord oh you know I’m right The Handmaid’s Blush must be spared The Handmaid’s Blush must be spared Generations have come some have come and gone but this ones no longer needed no more
7.	Summer's Last Hurrah 02:59	lyrics	buy track
Wake the world from its slumber Resist the pull of the Polar Star It’s not the dreams of the Winter It’s Summer’s last hurrah Return the leaves to the forest Recall the birds from afar Forget the dreams of the Winter It’s Summer’s last hurrah Wait a while on the corner Where the sun is warm and low Let the light take you places Winter never shows Wake the world from its slumber Recall the birds from afar Forget the dreams of the Winter It’s Summer’s last hurrah It’s Summer’s last hurrah
8.	Paracetamol 03:31	lyrics	buy track
Remember to forget me, tomorrow I’ll be gone I’m getting up and getting out, everything is wrong Pretend you never knew me, and everything’s been sung Nowhere I’m going, ‘cos everywhere’s been gone I don’t know why I bother Worry myself to death Trying to please one or the other When you’re just like all the rest. Remember to regret me, everything’s been said Don’t know what to tell you, you’re better off dead? I don’t know why I bother Worry myself to death Trying to please one or the other When you’re just like all the rest.
9.	Ache 03:24	lyrics	buy track
Googled your name, whilst getting on with life Asked Jeeves the same, I’ve even got a wife But I search in vain Friends Reunited, it’s a joke; a house in Stow on the Wold But your trail is cold As long as the dawn will break, for you I ache As long as the dawn will break, for you I ache Hung round your haunts, wife and kids in tow But you never show As long as the dawn will break, for you I ache As long as the dawn will break, for you I ache It’s a right old how’d you do There’s us, them, me and you Googled your name whilst getting on with life But I search in vain As long as the dawn will break, for you I ache As long as the dawn will break, for you I ache
10.	A Friend Worth The Name 03:37	lyrics	buy track
The monsters are close so I double my dose Escape in reflections onscreen Karloff speaks in the wood ‘alone bad, friend good’ But some films I don’t think you’ve seen It’s essential as taking breath You think it’s a game It’s a matter of life and death A friend worth the name I once knew a man, like Ollie knew Stan Effortless real and sublime Rathbone and Bruce they gave me some truth But now you don’t give me the time It’s essential as taking breath You think it’s a game It’s a matter of life and death A friend worth the name Karloof speaks in the wood ‘alone bad, friend good’ But some films I don’t think you’ve seen
11.	Wormwood Blues 06:01	lyrics	buy track
Jesus wept, what time is it? I feel like shit Peel my face, from off the floor Green curse no more Demons pound, against my brain Never ever again Who the hell you trying to kid? You can’t resist, flip my lid And wrap your lips around my neck Drink me up for the best effect... What were we on? Christ on a bike What are we like? Peel my face, from off the floor Green curse no more Who the hell you trying to kid? You can’t resist, flip my lid And wrap your lips around my neck Drink me up for the best effect... When I stand, the room’s in spin A sorry state were in Demons pound, against my brain Never ever again Who the hell you trying to kid? You can’t resist, flip my lid And wrap your lips around my neck Drink me up for the best effect...
12.	Long Story Short 02:37	lyrics	buy track
You and I we got history Many tales to tell When the endings a mystery Here’s hoping it turns out well We all love a happy ending, where the bad guy is caught These dreams they all need mending So don’t cut a long story short You and I we got previous We go way back when Getting hard to believe in us Turn the page or start again? We all love a happy ending, where the bad guy is caught These dreams they all need mending So don’t cut a long story short
13.	Gent! 02:58	lyrics	buy track
We found a treasure, a jewel on the map An island of pleasure, in a sea of flat The beer is flowing, the waters are high The bridges are sighing and so am I So when are we going, when are we going to Gent?? The lamb it is mystic, adore it and weep But the vicar he nicked it, so its kept in the keep The bar it is Kinky, buzzing with sweat Shall we go for a drinky? You bet! ................ The City goes mental for 10 days in July So do not go gentle, don’t even try The bar it is Kinky, buzzing with sweat Shall we go for a drinky? You bet!
14.	A Journey 04:02	lyrics	buy track
I blew out the flame and then I recall I went on a journey, climbing the wall It’s ok it’s ok it’s ok, I fly when I fall I flew ‘cross the Channel and had lots of fun Wrestling around with a foreign tongue Godverdomme verdomme, verdomme My head it spun... The wormwood was winging its way through my brain Your faces all mingle to one and the same Flashing by flashing by flashing by, like a passing train I remember the music we drank to the dawn My friends are all strangers, all sad and forlorn Where’ve they gone? Where’ve they gone? The sun makes me sober I dream of sleep This journey is ending, to a bed I must creep. Journey’s end journey’s end journey’s end, is on the street
15.	Sun Street 03:52	lyrics	buy track
In a City like this it’s easy to miss, just what I’m not The future’s tomorrow to beg steal and borrow and tomorrow’s all I’ve got But if you still need me, there’s one place we can meet Sun Street, Sun Street Yesterday’s done, today’s what we’ve won, who would have thought? When I saw you last you struggled to grasp, how I was caught But if you still need me, there’s one place we can meet Sun Street, Sun Street If you’re hunting me down Well I’m, I’m still around (Inst...) But if you still want me, there’s one place we can meet Sun Street, Sun Street In a City like this it’s easy to miss, just what I’m not The future’s tomorrow to beg steal and borrow and tomorrow’s all I’ve got
16.	Tell Her 03:22	lyrics	buy track
Setting sun behind your back Have you lost your tongue, is it love you lack? Well turn up the stars and roll on the night The time is now, the time is right To tell her tell her tell her Just what you feel Tell her tell her tell her That your love is real She’s a mountain, she’s a wall You can’t get over her at all You’re finally standing face to face Now’s the time now’s the place To tell her tell her tell her Just what you feel Tell her tell her tell her That your love is real Tell her tell her tell her Before she’s gone Tell her tell her tell her What are you on? (What are you on?)
17.	Still Time 03:37	lyrics	buy track
Ever get the feeling you’ve been had? Bad is good and good is bad. You try to run, you fall behind. The smallest things are so unkind But we’ll find a way, at the dying of the day There’s still time See the distance you’ve crossed You read the signs but still you’re lost We’ll find a way, at the dying of the day There’s still time Sing what you know Sing what you know There’s time Ever get the feeling you’ve been had? Bad is good and good is bad. We’ll find a way, at the dying of the day There’s still time
18.	Saved 03:00	lyrics	buy track
My God I can’t believe you’re true You’re wanting me I’m needing you Been living in the dark so long Running blind, then you shone Oh oh I’m saved, now that you’re here A miracle in human form I praise the day that you were born So look me in the eye and say you’ve come for me, take me away Oh oh I’m saved, now that you’re here I’ll give you what you want to see There’s nothing I won’t do Tell me what you want me to be I’m here for you
19.	Hoor Je Mij? 03:29	lyrics	buy track
Heb je mij verlaten? Of was het andersom? Duizend bommen en granaten Verdwenen met de noorderzon Maar ik heb je toch verlaten Ik weet waroom en waarvoor Maar als ik diep in mijn hart kijk Dan zie ik toch een spoor Oh Vlaanderen, hoor je mij? Ik heb je graag wat dichterbij Met al mijn hart en liefde Verlang ik naar je zon Maar ik ben toch weg geslopen Toen het nog kon
20.	Low Country 03:25	lyrics	buy track
A brown café at 3am, got the twelfth bar blues again, I drink to you. I drink to you. So one more for the road my friend. Who knows when this road will end? Drain your cup, goodbye good luck. You and I can never be, living in this low country We’re two wrongs, trying to make a right Off my head as I watch the sun, burning through the city scum. I rub my face, of you no trace. You and I can never be, living in this low country We’re two wrongs, trying to make a right On the streets bottles roll, empty trams and empty souls I’ll make my way, home someday You and I can never be, living in this low country We’re two wrongs, trying to make a right You and I can never be, living in this low country We’re two wrongs, trying to make a right We’re two wrongs, trying to make a right
21.	The Invisible Ray 04:24	lyrics	buy track
There’s a house on the hill & an abandoned mill, that’s where He built his machine that’s crazy & mean, I swear He’s aimed it at us, with its derange buzz, we can’t hide. It’s hot on our heels, but no one else feels its mad vibe Washing us away, washing us away, invisible ray Science gone mad, in a home-made lab, I’m sure No reason or rhyme, for this paranoid crime, and no cure Washing us away, washing us away, invisible ray Washing us away, washing us away, invisible ray It must be destroyed, hurled in the void, before long We scream and we wail, to no avail, we’re gone Washing us away, washing us away, invisible ray Washing us away, washing us away, invisible ray
22.	Forever Comes 03:08	lyrics	buy track
You said we were forever, how soon forever comes Forever comes I said I’d leave you never, but now never’s done Never’s done. Fools entwined, wasting time Like there’s no tomorrow For you and me There was so much we’d discover, suddenly it’s known It must be known I’d always be your love, always – how it’s flown How it’s flown It’s a crying shame, this loving game ‘Cos it don’t grow on trees So please.. We’d grow old together, now we’re old before our time Before our time Our love was like a feather, it flew away so fine So fine Fools entwined, wasting time Like there’s no tomorrow For you and me You said we were forever, how soon forever comes Forever comes Forever comes

about

A kind of 'best of' erring towards the songs I made with Els, without whom...

Some reviews:

Pennyblack Music review 'a prize every time - the greatest bits'
From 2014 - a few minor errors but basically sound....

"After seven albums of melancholic indie-folk (mixed with a little indie-pop, shoegaze, country and even some torch ballads), Anglo-Flemish duo Nigel Parrington and Els D'hooge called time on their musical partnership in 2013, with Parrington commenting that he felt “all songed out”.

They mark their passing with a 22 track compilation of the 'Greatest Bits' – their personal favourites alongside those songs that were played on the radio, or just picked up more attention than was typical for this under-the-radar pairing. This was my first encounter with the Low Countries' music, so it was rather a shame to find they have already packed it in.

The compilation begins with the moody piano ballad, 'At The End of the Day', a mid-paced, wistful lament, complete with an unexpected high pitched refrain and coming to life as guitars ease themselves into the mix. It's the sort of thing Paddy McAloon filled up his mid-nineties albums with, and there is nothing wrong with that (although, sadly, comparisons to mid-period McAloon tend to be accompanied by that critic's curse, 'cult appeal')

I assumed, then, that the rather silly indie-pop ditty that immediately follows, 'Brian Cox's Locks' - about everyone's favourite TV physicist – was an "'early one". In fact, they are both from the same period and album, 2011's 'Summer's Last Hurrah'. As a recipient of more than one too many well-meaning but not necessarily well executed aspiring indie-pop CDs, it was hard to be as excited about this second track. But the promise of the first kept me listening.

Partington is at his best in the world-weary guise of a alt-rock ballad man. A song of farewell to his former home in Belgium ('Low Country'), complete with accordions and lightly plucked guitars, represents him at his best.

He is never quite as convincing in indie-rock mode. It is, in fact, occasionally a bit frustrating to hear someone capable of dreaming up the excellent 'Wormwood Blues' - a great example of how a limited budget need not prevent bands from channelling their inner Pink Floyd – waste their time with the by-numbers indie of 'Gent!'

In fact, even a cursory scroll through the Low Countries' bandcamp reveals there are plenty of songs more worthy of inclusion here – 'Sea of Stars' a great example, which expands from a piano and vocal pop song to an atmospheric post-prog instrumental.

But, within the 22 tracks available here, a little judicious editing makes for a more than satisfactory afternoon's listening. A couple in the real world, as well as in music, the 'break up' album may tempt a new set of fans, and hopefully, thus, Partington back into songwriting.

Partington's son has apparently predicted that his dad's songs will be famous after he dies. Pennyblackmusic readers would be advised not to wait that long. Meanwhile, if he does ever write songs again, perhaps Partington will forget everything he ever learned about Sarah Records, and concentrate on his moody side."

Music Review: The Low Countries, A Prize Every Time – The Greatest Bits
Published on September 12th, 2014 in: Music, Music Reviews, Popshifter
By Melissa Bratcher

"There’s something to be said for Sunday morning music: the music you put on because the hangover hat is so heavy you can’t raise your head, or the music that goes nicely with coffee and the Sunday paper. The Low Countries’ Greatest Hits compilation A Prize Every Time – The Greatest Bits is truly a Sunday morning record. It’s quiet; it’s packed with tidy, short songs; and is so restrained that it is almost painful. An Anglo-Flemish duo comprised of Nigel Parrington and Els D’hooge, The Low Countries have been turning out twee, thinky, folky music since 2007 and A Prize Every Time gives a nice overview of their brand of ever-so-gentle music.

One of the most striking things about A Prize Every Time is how very quiet it is. All of the songs are hushed, almost furtive, like songs recorded in a teenager’s bedroom while his parents are asleep. It’s interesting, at first, but over the course of 22 tracks, it becomes maddening. There are no highs or lows; it just maintains a somnambulant level. Which, of course, makes it a fine Sunday morning record.

A Prize Every Time opens with the Boris Karloff name-dropping, earnest, and open hearted “A Friend Worth The Name.” Sweet acoustic guitar pairs with a reverby drone and Parrington’s slightly nasal delivery. This combination will be revisited several times on A Prize Every Time, sometimes adding piano, like on the aching “At The End Of The Day,” or the quiet “Still Time,” and the repetitive “Ache” which finds a line it likes and repeats it continually over strummy guitar.

There are moments of cleverness. “A Journey” takes a pastoral song with birdsong and flute, and layers that atop a track of a man’s voice repeating “congratulations.” It becomes subverted and a little creepy, like the negative to a photograph. A silly and charming ode to musician turned physicist Brian Cox (“Brian Cox’s Locks”) sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom, but he should definitely use this as a theme song.

When Parrington is joined in harmony by Els D’hooge, things really take off. She takes the lead on “Don’t Let It Be You,” and it is lovely. With brushed drums and harmonica, it’s a straightforward, pretty song and her voice is unusual and delightful. Their harmonies on the demo-like “Forever Comes” are sweet and graceful. D’hooge’s hushed “aah”’s on the grittier “Paracetamol” are a highlight, though the song is so buttoned down. While it is slightly rockier, it is only just.

“Sun Street” boasts a smart guitar sound and Beach Boys-esque harmonies, if the Beach Boys were on downers. “Tell Her” wouldn’t be out of place on a Nuggets box set, but there’s no passion or urgency. “Wormwood Blues” has a later Julian Cope-like feeling, though it never goes much of anywhere.

A Prize Every Time – The Greatest Bits is an often interesting, sometimes engaging overview of a quirky, quiet folk group. They make literate, clever music that makes Belle and Sebastian look like a bunch of thugs."

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released September 8, 2014

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about

The Low Countries UK

The Low Countries are the off-road vehicle for songwriter-singer Nigel Parrington. Nigel is currently performing with Els D'hooge in Belgium after enjoying a heady 5 year run of full band activity in the UK.

'indie-folk at its best...' Folk Radio UK

'Blissfully wonderful music' Beehive Candy

'They make literate, clever music that makes Belle and Sebastian look like a bunch of thugs' Popshifter ... more

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