FolkWorld #66 07/2018

CD & DVD Reviews

Lucky Bones "Matchstick Men"
Own label, 2018

www.luckybones.com

From Dublin comes this Americana LP that may be a bit too much Americana for me. The music is solid, occasionally driving and jangly, and the heart is there. But I wished for a more expansive style. Perhaps it was the title that confused me into thinking of the Status Quo song of almost the same name. I read someone mentioning the Waterboys when discussing this band, and that is reasonable and may be enough to get you to listen.
© David Hintz


David Robert King "Idaho"
Own label, 2018

www.davidrobertking.com

A deep soft spoken/sung vocal style can either get old really fast or establish a deep introspective mood. Fortunately, it is clearly the latter case here as King’s music is quite mesmerizing. He varies it up just enough to create distinction between the songs, which has been a failure of other low-key performers. This still may not be for everybody, but if you want to bring it down a notch or two, David Robert King will have you on the edge of your sofa.
© David Hintz


Rebecka Törnqvist with Johan Lindström "Home Secretary"
Moule Recordings, 2017

www.rebeckatornqvist.se

Whether this is folktonica or electronica is a debatable point among us genre nerds. I would say there is enough of a folk element in here and the pop hooks are not thrust too much to the forefront to allow folktronica fans to claim this record as one of their own. For even more diversity, there are some odd jazz or lounge moves in the mix as well. No matter what you want to call this, just know that it has a creative modern sound with a timeless vocal quality that at times is quite the inspiration.—well worth at least an exploratory listen.
© David Hintz


Máni Orrason "I Woke Up Waiting"
Guesstimate, 2018

www.maniorrason.com

The atmosphere is mostly heavy for this well produced singer songwriter outing. Even the lighter instrumental touches are topped by Orrason’s intense vocal delivery. It is mannered and delivers a melodious seriousness indicative of many modern day troubadours. The clean and earnest nature of it all warrants a fair listen, although it may be a bit more for rock fans or at least folk-rock fans. But stay tuned, as this Icelandic artist is only 20 years old.
© David Hintz


Jarle Skavhellen "The Ghost in your Smile"
Nettwerk, 2018

www.jarleskavhellen.com

It is funny how you can often tell within 15 seconds that you are listening to something you are going to like a lot. The acoustic guitar repeating a simple pattern to create a bit of tension set up a great vocal delivery on the title track and I was hooked. What is nice is that the songs vary enough in mood to make for a fully formed, highly interesting record. The quality remains whether he shoots for a deep mood or a light playful feeling. This record should go over well with just about every music lover who likes any shade of folk-rock music.
© David Hintz


Easy October "Tangled up in Black"
Adore Music, 2018

www.easyoctober.com

This is a rather easy going rock album with only the slightest nod to folk music. The vocals are calm and the music is steady, so there is nothing scorching here, but rock steady music coming at you. It does not quite connect with me as much as I would like as it occupies a rather safe middle ground. It sounds good, but it is the sort of record that plays well and does not have the goods to invite me back for more.
© David Hintz


Inyal "Inyal"
Own label, 2017

Artist Video

www.inyalband.com

This band has a rather innovative sound, even as it is quite welcoming. The music reminds me of an electronically modernized Pan-Ra or Piirpauke with Shelia Chandra on vocals. The vocals are a mix of chant and verse/chorus singing and they give this music just the lift it needs. There are some instrumentals that are less interesting, but still solid on their own in a reinterpreted European traditional style (The band are from Glasgow and it shows at times). This is a fine record, although the choice of having it more instrumental than vocal is something I would like to see reversed next time. But there is still plenty of fine music to grab on to here.
© David Hintz


Keegan McInroe "A Good Old Fashioned Protest"
Own label, 2017

Artist Video

www.keeganmcinroe.com

If you like the old days of Country Joe, Phil Ochs, and early Bob Dylan, you will get plenty of that here. McInroe does many spoken word over guitar songs as well as fuller songs arranged for a band. The spoken style seems a bit nostalgic, but McInroe’s lyrics are strong enough to keep you focused on the here and now. His songs are good as well, so the result is one excellent folk record.
© David Hintz


J. Briozo "Deep in the Waves"
Swallow the Music, 2017

www.jbriozo.com

This is a good solid album full of folk-rock and singer-songwriter material. There are delicate songs of introspection and street-tough folk rockers that showcase this fine band. This is one of those albums that is worth staying with as the band’s skillful playing unfolds the magic of their music over time. The atmosphere they create includes mysterious landscapes and flowing terrain, whether they lean acoustic or go full on electric. Give this record a careful listen and you will likely be transported to interesting places.
© David Hintz


Andy Jones "Shield"
Timezone Records, 2018

beta.andyjonesrock.com

Although a bit more of a rocker than a folk entry, Andy Jones shows off a hearty singer songwriter style that should appeal to folk rockers—at least those that like a good rock ballad as well. The band is electric and steady, although the acoustic guitar and strings on a few songs offer a nice change up. The lead guitar work is tasty as opposed to showy. Jones’ vocals are hearty and strong with a tone and even a few inflections that remind me of James Hetfield. Lyrically, it is a bit more prosaic than most, but that fits in well with the vibrant straight up music that surges forward and the stories that he has to tell.
© David Hintz


Rob McHale "Prophets on the Boulevard"
Wooden Door Records, 2018

Artist Video

www.robmchale.com

This has a relaxed Appalachian feeling throughout. McHale’s vocals could be rough, but he manages to smooth them out into a welcome story telling style. The accompanying string interplay has sort of a stretched out bluegrass style where there is a lot of playing, but it is careful and mannered and has an easy going swing throughout. This is an effective style and with the songwriting quality, will be inviting you back for more listening.
© David Hintz


The Furious Seasons "Now Residing Abroad"
Own label, 2018

Artist Video

www.thefuriousseasons.com

These veteran musicians have crafted an album as only true veterans can. The trick to their Americana folk style is to sound light and breezy at the same time they explore emotional depths. I am never sure how bands quite manage that, but this folk trio has it down. If you want some good singer songwriter material done in this admirable fashion, than the Furious Seasons are for you.
© David Hintz


Touré Kunda "Lambi Golo"
Soulbeats Records, 2018

www.facebook.com/...

There is a forty year history to this band, although I am experiencing them for the first time. And what first comes to my notice is how bright and vibrant this all is. There is plenty of musical maturity, but the spirit is what is really strong and carries everything forward. There is a catchy cross between west African music and pop music with plenty of reggae moves within. Of the guest artists, none is more explosive than Carlos Santana, who had me running to the credits when I heard this amazing guitar solo making a ghostly presence throughout ‘Emma Salsa’. I have not heard a guitar line like that too often. I could have used more personally, but ultimately this was fun and infectious.
© David Hintz


Holler My Dear "Steady as She Goes"
Traumton, 2018

www.hollermydear.com

Steady with a bit of an edge here for this pop rock band. It is musically smooth with vocals are just cutting enough to be interesting. It is quite slick in arrangements and production and it does not have a whole lot to do with folk, so I am not sure there is a large audience here. I enjoyed hearing what the band came up with, but most of it was not quite compelling enough for me to explore further. I will make an exception for ‘Memories’ which has a Parisian lounge to street vibe. I can see a lot of mainstream pop and rock fans heading toward this band.
© David Hintz


Turin Brakes "Invisible Storm"
Cooking Vinyl, 2018

Artist Video

www.turinbrakes.com

There is enough folk here for the folk rockers to grab on to, but it is the more innovative indie rock stylings that carry this record. The guitar work can be busy, but in a creative way, while the rhythms keep things snappy and moving. There is a lightness even with the instrumental flourish that creates a rather unique atmosphere. And that is worthy of further exploration of this fine English band.
© David Hintz


Great Lake Swimmers "The Waves, the Wake"
Nettwerk, 2018

Artist Video

Artist Video

www.greatlakeswimmers.com

From the vast folk lands of Canada comes this venerable folk band who has been playing for over 15 years. Their latest LP certainly shows this maturity and the spirit is still there as well. They feature a light touch with soft vocal harmonies and clear instrumental melodies. It might be a bit too lush at times for some, but if you appreciate drifting off into that sort of sonic pasture, then this is for you. And with songwriting as good as they show in ‘Mouth of Flames’, they can play in any style they want—it will work.
© David Hintz


Zeki Min "Here"
Gunner Records, 2018

www.zekimin.com

Speaking of lush, we have lush pop at its lightest here. Well, there are a few songs that head toward a light folk rock feeling, but this is mostly soaring in the thin atmosphere of air pop music. Pop may not quite be right, because although there are some attractive melodies, there is a contemplative feeling in many of the songs. So we have another hard-to-classify album here with only a wee bit of folk, but still this remains a good choice for the adventurous listener.
© David Hintz


Sons of Settlers "Daily Rituals"
Own label, 2018

www.sonsofsettlers.com

After a lush instrumental opening, ‘Prelude’, we settle back into a more familiar folk setting on this six-song EP. Well, in part as they retain a certain lush instrumental quality that stretches their songs’ landscape out into interesting terrain. I don’t always care for the modern qualities of this approach, but I believe this South African duo manage to capture a variety of ethnic musical styles and make them a part of their sound. And their sound is unique enough to make for a pleasant experience. Although the two ‘hidden’ electropop songs seemed a bit out of place for me.
© David Hintz


Quiet Lane "When Dust Dances on a Quiet Lane"
Own label, 2017

Artist Video

www.quietlane.com

Quiet Lane lives up to their name, but only to a point. They have some fine vocal harmonies atop some interesting folk melodies. The guitar work has a subtle side to the intricate patterns on display. It all congeals into a folk format you may have heard before, but with a personal flair that sounds fresh and invigorating. There is a lot of good music out there, but this is one that Folkworld readers should definitely put to the top of their list.
© David Hintz


Joe Vickers "Notes for the Wood Burning Stove"
Gunner Records, 2017

www.joevickersmusic.com

This did not start off on good footing as the pedal steel guitar was cloyingly wailing away during the opening cut. While still present it faded more to the background and even disappeared for several songs. There was some violin that was better, but Vickers is better served when he delivers a more sparse folk song. Although the writing too often stuck to familiar phrases and sentiments. Definitely a mixed bag here.
© David Hintz


Kevin Meisel "Bring it to Light"
Brambus Records, 2018

www.kevinmeisel.com

This is subtitled ‘Unreleased Demos and Songs, 2005-2017. Meisel released four albums during that period and has these seventeen songs to fill out his canon. And although stripped down to just Meisel playing all strings and singing all vocals, he has multiple guitars going as well as harmonized vocals. And the recordings are as good as a fully produced folk album. More importantly his songs are good and it will hit folk fans just right as he delivers right to their wheel house. This is a worthwhile record even if you are not just trying to be a Kevin Meisel completist.
© David Hintz


Soldat Louis "Quelques Nouvelles du Front"
SCPP, 2017

www.soldatlouis.com

French rock music is somewhat tricky to get a handle on. Fortunately, there are some folk moves in here, but the pace is brisk and the spirit is more rocking. It’s not gypsy punk, but rather traditional rock with that odd French flair. Ultimately it is between too many styles that I like and just doesn’t find the common ground or right combination for me.
© David Hintz


Neil McSweeney "A Coat Worth Wearing"
Hudson Records, 2016

www.neilmcsweeney.com

I generally do not trust getting older records for review, thinking that someone is just trying to reduce piles of unsold inventory. However, this is a major exception as it is one of the finest records I have heard this year. McSweeney reaches profound depths in his songs and has me mesmerized from the first note to a last. He touches upon territory that David Eugene Edwards (16 HP, Woven Hand) reaches and few songwriters are capable of heading anywhere near that terrain. There are lighter moments as well, but there is always a tug at the emotions. The musical and vocal phrasing has that extra chill to it that creates the magic. Also, here is the template for how NOT to overuse a pedal steel guitar. That instrument like the others here knows where to place itself to enhance the atmosphere rather than dominate it. This is a keeper.
© David Hintz


Martin Kerr "Better than Brand-New"
Own label, 2017

Artist Video

www.martinkerrmusic.com

Martin Kerr’s nice easy going approach to personal folk songs is back. Easy is not a fair word as it takes great skill to come up with easy. And Kerr does just enough to make the simple approach interesting to those of us that have heard it thousands of times. The acoustic guitar is interesting and there is some instrumental backing that changes in intensity to keep things fresh throughout these twelve songs. Kerr is probably someone most Folkworld readers know or should know.
© David Hintz



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