Stephen Hero – Convalescence
Stephen Hero – Convalescence
Since the demise of Kitchens Of Distinction in 1996 frontman Patrick Fitzgerald has returned to his first passion, healthcare. He has also kept himself pretty busy musically with an array of diverse projects. (see Lost Girls, Oskar’s Drum, Fruit…)
Perhaps his most prominent ‘solo’ guise has been as Stephen Hero, a project distinctly different to Kitchens yet still distinctly Patrick. Predominantly piano-led, Stephen Hero releases have, to date, occupied the same literate, crepuscular spaces that we might expect, replete with Fitzgeralds instantly recognisable, gnarly vocals. Latest album, Convalescence sees a shift back to guitars. It begins with two of the best songs of his career. Christopher And His Kind is a hugely impressive opener, emerging from a swathe of electronics not unlike those ominous BBC Public Service Broadcasts from 1970s. Imagine Me Gone is the de facto promotional ‘single’, and the first of this albums many killer choruses. (Witness Leave To be Gone and Somehow We Live) Throughout these songs Fitzgerald appears to be ruminating on the whys and wherefores of still being alive. As a recovering transplant patient Patrick would have been severely at risk during Covid19. It is far from the only epidemic that he has had to face during his life. Christopher… feels like a lament to many lost friends while Imagine Me Gone plays ‘what if’ with deaths fickle gaze. I swear it even tips its hat to iconic Kitchens song, Prize at one moment. I certainly think Prize came full circle. It’s no longer ‘who were?’ my first loves but ‘where are?’
This outpouring is the essence of Convalescence. I believe Patrick needed to purge these thoughts and feelings, as much for a bit of respite as for the intended output which takes the form of this glorious album. He had to get it out of his system in order to rest his chemistry, so to speak. I’d put this amongst his best work. It’s like a fusion of Apparition In The Woods (my favourite Stephen Hero LP) and Folly, the KOD comeback record. If you haven’t yet pursued Stephen Hero Convalescence is the perfect gateway. Fitzgerald is in fine voice, part Richard Butler, part Bowie, oozing scorn yet showing vulnerability in equal measure. With a big heart and a social conscience he is in many ways the anti-Morrissey and Convalescence would be his Vauxhall…. We could call it Tooting & I. In any case I have certainly learned far more listening to this ‘Stephen’ than the other (Steven) although they are both poets.
I still hold out hope for Stephen Hero the West End Musical. (Listen to his arrangements and tell me there isn’t a show element) But I’m thankful for what we have. We’re still here, folks. He’s still here! That’s more than sufficient. That’s everything.
And this is really rather excellent.
Apparition In The Woods review
Convalescence is out this week, via Norman Records, Last Night From Glasgow, Amazon….