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I first saw Dean Owens play at The Slaughtered Lamb in London a few years ago, opening for the brilliant American songwriter Nels Andrews, and I don’t know if it’s because I’d already made the association, but the lush, sweeping Americana of this new record does call to mind some of Nels’ work, particularly Off-Track… Read more »
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One from the ‘beyond’ section of the review stack, Snowapple are a theatrical, close harmony, Dutch trio. Despite sending no explanation with their album I can tell you theyare Una, Laurien and Laura- thank heaven for the internet. Illusion has an almost Alice in Wonderland picture: three girls on a chess board hidden from view… Read more »
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You either have to overlook or forgive the fact that Sam Kelly was once involved with reality TV – I won’t name the show, but it does have an individual named Mr Cowell in charge. Thankfully he survived unscathed and has come up chipper and is certainly wiser for the experience. Now he’s got roots… Read more »
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Fylde-centric and proud of it, the Blue Pigs play the strip between Blackpool, Fleetwood and Thornton-Cleveleys, eternally bound to the Lancashire coast. Since last summer they’ve featured the talents of mega fiddler Richard Curran. From The Storm is their second recorded work and conjures an agreeable, friendly roots rock sound which takes contributions from both… Read more »
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It’s quite a surprise – very pleasant mind – when Hannah Sanders leaps from the CD player clean across the kitchen and hooks her take of I’ll Weave My Love A Garland clean into your psyche.With a background in unadorned folk harmony and a lengthy stay in the US of A as part of her… Read more »
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Cameron Blake entered the folk scene in 2009 and really hasn’t looked back since. His latest offering Alone On The World Stage promises to be his best yet, with contemporary folk songs, excellent lyricism and adroit guitar work. Considering the album largely features just Blake and his guitar, there is an almost orchestral expanse to… Read more »
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People have been expecting big things of Harry Harris since the release of his self-titled album at the tender age of 17. Some years later Harry returns with his brand new album Songs About Other People and reaffirms the praise he had previously received. Harry’s song writing is the thing that immediately catches the ear… Read more »
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Gretchen Peters latest album is a timely look at mortality and the accretion of experience we build up as the years rack up. The lauded Nashville singer songwriter has won enough awards to fill many mantlepieces over her career, and was recently inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. On ‘Blackbirds’ Peters has special… Read more »
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Someone, somewhere, sometime obviously whispered in Galley Beggar’s ear that wearing your influences on your sleeve is all very well, you can probably get away with it for a while but sooner or later you’ve got to stand up and be yourself. Welcome to Silence & Tears the first true Galley Beggar album. If you’re… Read more »
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Finally, a blockbuster movie that delivers on the promise of its trailers. Movie goers tend to be sceptical of teasers and trailers these days, studios churn out slick marketing campaigns that hype movies to unattainable levels. Just look at Ridley Scott’s Prometheus for an example, they must have spent as much marketing the film as… Read more »
