We all have the utmost respect for Conchita Wurst, getting up on stage, beard or no beard, and absolutely rocking the feathers off of ‘Rise Like a Pheonix’. But, for a long time in the running of the scores, it was a close call between her and the wonderful ‘Common Linnets’ who came second place.
BEAUTIFUL: The Common Linnets rocking country music
And the public were not wrong to vote for them. These two Dutch-bred song birds are fluttering into success all over Europe and the U.S with their smash-hit “Calm Before the Storm”. With sweet riffs on the steel guitar, honey-sweet vocals from the luminous Ilse DeLange and the deep, intense stare of the chocolate-eyed, Waylon, it would be difficult to deny they have all the makings of a true country band. So why have they never been heard of by the majority of the public over here?
Perhaps it’s because country music never competes among the commercial success of dub-step or the dreaded Rebecca Black, pop-remakes on the radio. Sadly, the beauty of deep lyrics and intricate finger patterns on the guitar don’t seem to thrill people the same way that Kylie Minogue jumping around on an exercise ball, begging for sex does. Has country just lost its impact? Or are we just waiting for the super good stuff?
It’s true that country music is far more recognised in the States due to their huge population of rednecks and banjos. I’m only joking. But really, it is more popular there and has produced some of the greats including Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, all of which are whipped out at nearly every house party here in England. Come on, don’t tell me you’ve never sung ‘9-5’ after a couple beers at your mates house?
So perhaps, we are just waiting for the greats then. And if so, I think we’ve found a revival right here. The Common Linnets bring together soulful lyrics with wonderfully catchy tunes and have a Brokeback Mountain-calmness about them which needs replenishing in the British music industry.
Perhaps the myth about second-place success is all true and we shall see more of them in the future. In which case, I will switch radio one back on and hope for the best.
Rachel Lily-Taylor 