Folk

The bold mission statement accompanying this album declares that Faustus – a trio involving melodeon kingpin Saul Rose and two Bellowheads, Paul Sartin and Benji Kirkpatrick – are driven by a desire to “banish all that is anodyne and fey in…

What is a storymap? It sounds very philosophical imprinted upon an album cover, but… how (and why) would you "map" stories? The cartographers in question are Kris Drever, guitarist, mandolin player and vocalist, usually spied as part of the…

Opening with a slow-building instrumental that recalls the anthems of Tex-Mex romantics Calexico, this is an album that makes its seductive pitch straight away. Soon the big sky theme is overtaken by dreamy harmony vocals, and it’s no…

With members simultaneously doing time in experimental hillbilly ethnologists Pelt, you might expect this collection to offer a few more obscure turns like those hinted at on The Poplar Pole. With its repetitive fiddle refrains (courtesy of…

The flute-like voice of Ireland’s Heidi Talbot is a fine instrument. Every word is clear, each note hit, yet it’s no bragging perfection. Her tones still have a whispering undertow to them. She has been around for a while: this is her fifth…