Joe Breenhears two releases.
BOWERBIRDS
Hymns for a Dark Horse Dead
Ocean Records
***
There are lots of interesting things stirring in the undergrowth, it seems. The post folk/freak folk movement has pushed rustic idiosyncrasy to the fore, and in these times of climate change and economic armageddon, a return to nature's withering arms seems timely. It has happened before - the Incredible String Band and Dr Strangely Strange, et al, all surfaced at a time of challenge, but like naive art, there is a limit to rustic musical charm, and main man Phil Moore, Beth Tacular and Mark Paulson stretch it just a little.
At their best, these richly colourful songs of nature's ways have a beguiling charm, the honest harmonies, warm melodies and plucky instrumentation testing the doubter's resolve. Believe and you will be seduced; resist and it is freak folk, indeed. You can check out for yourself during the Raleigh, North Carolina trio's Irish tour in September.
[ www.bowerbirds.orgOpens in new window ]
JOE BREEN
Download tracks: In Our Talons, The Marbled Godwit
NO CROWS
Magpie
No Crows
****
You would want an open mind to get full value from this vibrant second album by an ad hoc quartet formed out of regular sessions at the Sligo pub from which they took their name. Their music, as they say, "ranges from Irish traditional to classical and gypsy swing, as well as folk tunes from Finland, Moldova, Russia, Venezuela, Greece and beyond".
In lesser hands, this would be a recipe for a well- meaning if ham-fisted (sic) turkey, but the hands here are pretty hot - not least violinist Steve Wickam of Waterboys fame. He is joined by exceptional Mallorcan guitarist Felip Carbonell, Anna Houston (cello and mandolin), double bassist Eddie Lee and a number of guests for what is a beautifully wrought selection of instrumental music. You can sense the pleasure they find in each other's playing, but against that, their diversity leaves them short of a signature sound.
[ www.nocrows.netOpens in new window ]
JOE BREEN
Download tracks: Crowswing, Two Black Russians and a Pernod, Magpie
