Reviews

Self-professed writer performer of indie folk/acoustic pop, Serious Child is the alter ego of Alan Young who apparently grew up surrounded by woodland in the Weald forest and after due time living in an urban environment high tailed it back there to craft this second album. Whilst that’s the underlying theme it doesn’t dominate the… Read more »

Album number thirteen for Canadian musician Fearing who readers of more mature years may remember first came on stream over here thanks largely to working with Clive Gregson and Christine Collister. Then as now his material is of a quality which makes a mockery of simplistic terms like singer songwriter, here he’s gone for the… Read more »

A rather fascinating object by a band with lots of potential, Nettlebone, even the name is considered and suitably rustic. Methodology is rather indie, a bit of attitude in the mix as Forrest brothers Justin and Dominic round on history and create harmonic, folksy items using a variety of antique instruments, hurdy gurdy, crumhorn, English… Read more »

Vocal and angry The Wicca Men display their allegiance from the off, choosing to advertise ‘Albion Darkness’ by way of a photograph of coal blackened miners. The chunky booklet that accompanies has further iconic snapshots and imagery as well as background thinking and justifications for the mantra ‘taking back the commons.’ Life to them is… Read more »

With a vocal style that has been compared with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Peggy Lee, it’s quite surprising that Bronwynne Brent hasn’t yet progressed in popularity beyond a hardcore of fans. Let’s be clear from the start. Those fans that have been drawn in by her first two solo albums, ‘Deep Black Water’… Read more »

Imagine a band with the naivety of mid period Incredible String Band and straight forward folksy instrumentation, songs of emotion and natural wonders. Three of them, Emma Morton(autoharp/vocals,) Jon Griffin, (guitar/vocal,) Andy Thomas (bass,) a mere five tracks but a lot to take in. Best offerings ‘Rich For All My Sorrows,’ with loads of harmonic… Read more »

Can’t help it… I don’t want to…  honestly. Every time I play ‘Elemental,’ I keep hearing, subliminally of course, Spriguns, Curved Air and Renaissance. Elaine Samuels and her rotating collective admit they’re progressive, folk rock and I’d say there’s far more of the former obvious here than the latter. Okay, they’ve got a fiddle and… Read more »

Musically reminding me of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah band and visually of Devo, this album their fourth and five years in the making is a sublime example of British sonic eccentricity.Hailing from Leeds Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers are known for their dynamically and outrageous live shows and exhibitionism. Filled with catchy and positive lyrics… Read more »

The Moore the merrier… Someone had the unenviable task of listing all Christy Moore’s recent gigs on the fold out cover and booklet of ‘Magic Nights.’ Quite a feat in itself since the sources of the material here are drawn from venues the length and breadth of the both Ireland and the U.K. Neither is… Read more »

This is the sixth album by Shrewsbury based singer songwriter Vin Whyte but is the first released under the First Mate identity. Taking the one man band, one stop shop concept to the limit the album was, written mixed and produced by Vin himself. The songs themselves are founded on stories mostly by real life… Read more »