Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls "Shake Them Rattlin’ Bones"
Old Higue Records, 2019
This UK band comes to us through the mythical swamps of Cajun country in Louisiana. They have that gumbo like conglomeration of blues, folk, rockabilly, and voodoo. For me, this was a fitting tribute to Dr. John, who died recently as it evokes that same spirit, even if musically this crosses the Cramps, the Gun Club, and Cab Calloway, albeit in a more acoustic small band environment. It is hard to find any real fault here as the music is foot tapping fun with a breezy style where it ends before you expect it, because of the way it brings you into its world.
© David Hintz
Three for Silver "Blue Ruin"
Foggy Night Records, 2019
Although there may be a blues starting point, this band flies off into a more ethereal indie rock atmosphere. Even that does not quite cover the scope of this intriguing band’s travels. Of course, with two violins, a cello, and a host of the more expected instrumentation, you can expect unique music from players as fine as these. But it is their overall approach that interests me most as they manage to pull me in to a more unique world that most bands do not manage to accomplish.
© David Hintz
Christian Draghi "Black Roses & Hats"
Ultrasound Records, 2019
After a lot of intriguing esoteric music, Christian Draghi brings me back to a folky singer songwriter who focuses on voice and acoustic guitar. Yet there are fine folk arrangements and a mystical tone to the vocals that elevates this up to a rather hefty plane when this works. When it doesn’t work, it gets a bit too mainstream rock in tone. It still is well played and the songs are catchy enough, so it is well worth a listen.
© David Hintz
John Blekeley & Jeff Larson "Yesterday’s Dream"
NCompass Music, 2019
This record is more in the light rock singer/songwriter vein, although are some American folk stylings present is some of the songs. Many are breezy rhythms that move along well, with some cuts changing the tempo and tone to give some needed variety to the mix. All in all, there is quality here, but it doesn’t quite stand out enough for me to embrace this as much as others might.
© David Hintz
David Haerle "Garden of Edendale"
Edendale, 2018
There is nothing like starting off with a bang. The opening track, ‘Finding Natalie’ is rootsy rocker that has great pop hooks, fine vocals, and brisk music with great violin and guitar moves. And fortunately, there are additional decent songs that will hold your attention at a minimum thereafter. There are elements of House Band, Langhorne Slim, and the Smithereens in this mix. There is a bit of folk-roots in here in the Americana vein that will appeal to folk rock fans who want to cut loose a bit more.
© David Hintz
Suzie Vinnick "Shake the Love Around"
Own label, 2018
Although the bluesy lounge qualities are immediately evident, there is some gutsy rock’n’roll underneath as well. And with the mix properly putting the vocals up front, that leaves the tasty guitarwork underneath in a way that is subtle but strong. The rhythm section gives this more heft than you might imagine and by the end, it has cooked up a nice stew to share amongst a crowdy, sweaty, and dark night club. I guess the clue is right there in the title as there is some shakin’ going on here with some slower tempo cuts to provide a nice variety. It is not always hitting the buttons for me, but overall a good result here.
© David Hintz
Fiddler’s Green "Heyday"
Deaf Shepherd Recordings, 2019
So speedfolk is their handle on Facebook and Youtube and that may be just about all you need to know. This band takes the folk style and puts it through the rock shredder to the point it makes the Pogues feel quaint. Well, that is an overstatement, but this is fast and hard throughout. I enjoyed it, and you should have an idea of where it fits in your world.
© David Hintz
The Complaints "Talk to Me"
CompRecords, 2018
This veteran band has the smarts to create a slick album and have done so. It is in the singer-songwriter indie rock vein. My only complaint is that I really hear so much of what is been done in this over mined terrain already. I could say that in a lot of places, but there was something here that was just too main stream smooth and steady, that I could not quite connect as I should. I think the edge of a live show would be a better way to acquaint myself with their songs.
© David Hintz
Hazmat Modine "Box of Breath"
Jaro, 2019
Hazmat usually means dangerous materials are present. For Hazmat Modine, the material is solid fun music with perhaps some dangerous arrangements. It is the full brass ensemble the challenges the guitars and violin and pushes this into perhaps slightly dangerous areas. But it is all fun, and with the recent death of Dr. John, it is always good to hear some gutsy music that moves in different directions. Some of the vocals and melody lines could have been a bit more up to the challenge, but their safe lines are but minor distractions in this interesting album.
© David Hintz
Patrick Krief "Dovetail"
Indica, 2019
Although there are some slick, heavily produced sounds pouring out of my speakers, I find myself intrigued with this music, as opposed to getting my poisoned pen out and writing off yet another shimmering mainstream release. There is almost something dreamy in the manner of Joy Division here, if things were a lot lighter for those Mancunians. There may be some Icelandic pop in here as well. But whatever has influenced this Canadian songwriter, he has turned it into an interesting album that creates its own atmosphere that is fresh and clean. Just don’t expect by-the-book traditional folk music.
© David Hintz
Lau "Midnight and Closedown"
Reveal Records, 2019
Even as these modern sounds emanate, the old traditions are evident as a ghost alongside this Scottish music. The old folk feeling is there even with electronic instrumentation merging in with fiddle, acoustic guitars and soft vocals. It has a nice feeling throughout and I credit the violin playing and sonic qualities with giving this its ghostly edge. A pretty nice effort here and full credit for mixing the folk eras together so seamlessly.
© David Hintz
Tony Reidy "Not a Bad Day Now"
Own label, 2019
This Irish artist writes all songs, plays guitar, banjo, bass, whistle, accordion, percussion, and even does the artwork on this album. It is classic folk, but not overtly Irish. Some of this takes me back to folks like Terry Friend or Tir na Nog. This just keeps getting better as each song flows by. By the end, I felt as though I had been taken deep into my record collection of 1960s and 1970s UK folk artists. I really did not want this to end. Any folk fan should be listening to this.
© David Hintz
Fleuves "#2"
Coop Breizh, 2019
The instrumentation here is Fender Rhodes/Electronics, Clarinet, and Bass. And if you are thinking this is more progressive than folk, you would be right. This instrumental music is brisk and interesting. There is some ethnic folk feeling at times, but it still would be a better fit at a progressive rock festival. Although the sounds are different, there is a Tangerine Dream feel on some of the tracks, although with a bit more Eastern influence. This also has that jazz progressive feel on other tracks. It is a good listen.
© David Hintz
Hrdza "Neskroteny"
Own label, 2018
This Slovakian band brings their ethnic folk rock in a big, bright, and bold manner. They have the rhythmic foundation that challenges the instrumentation and vocals to up their game to stay with the sound. Fortunately, the whole band is up to the task and the end result is a loud album with lots of melody and emotion to connect with. A few songs get a bit too modern for my tastes, but when they dig deep into their traditional sound, they succeed so very well.
© David Hintz
Krzikopa "Krzikopa"
Folk24, 2018
This band immediately wins the award for best CD case of the year. If you enjoyed the pop-up in Jethro Tull’s ‘Stand Up’, then take a look at this. There is also a striking cover design that will get you to open it up for your “surprise”. As for the music, this Polish folk rock band steadily delivers a moving set of songs. Maybe not quite up to the cover, but still worth a listen.
© David Hintz
Gillebride MacMillan "Freumhan Falaichte"
Own label, 2018
In the tradition of Robin Williamson, Gillebride MacMillan writes music influenced by the ancient bards. He writes and sings in one of the Celtic languages, although there are English lyric translations available with the release. The music will sometimes take you back to the days of old, but more frequently is rooted in the present. But that is as a modern bard should do. MacMillan does it well with several musicians helping out and filling out the sound. This should be a great pleasure to Folkworld readers.
© David Hintz
Ordinary Elephant "Honest"
Berkalin Records, 2019
This is the classic male/female duo where both sing along with their guitars, banjos, and mandolins. Crystal Hariu-Damore takes the lead vocals throughout and she has a road-weary Americana voice that will sound and warm and familiar to most listeners. This is a highly familiar sound, unsurprising with this format, but it is a good listen if you are a fan of the genre. These two have good stories in their songs and should make audiences quite happy during their touring.
© David Hintz
Dan Korn & Joe Sharp "Polaris"
Own label, 2019
Korn is the singer songwriter and Sharp is the class bassist/back-up vocalist. Sharp adds a few songs to the mix, but most of this in the quiet easy-going folk style of Dan Korn. This is very quiet folk music, almost too quiet. Yet the songs have great depth to them and are worth spending some time with.
© David Hintz
Buford Pope "The Waiting Game"
Unchained Records, 2019
Buford Pope has a big soft voice. It is a good tool when you can emote so successfully at high and low levels. The songs are also as warm and inviting as his voice. There is not much new ground here (there rarely is for that matter), But the quality is higher than most and is well worth checking out. I did go running off to the lyric sheet more than once and I don’t do that too often. So, add to your pleasure and check out this album from a talented and assured singer songwriter.
© David Hintz
The Crooked Jades "Empathy Moves the Water"
Own label, 2018
This five-piece band takes the Appalachian porch band as a starting point and ratchets up the sophistication levels into interesting territory. It is very down-home Americana, but there is a smart sensibility here as well. The playing is quite good, which I find more interesting than the overall style itself, as this is not quite my cup of chicory. But if this new take on Americana sounds interesting, I would recommend this for your listening pleasure.
© David Hintz
Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh "Crimson Moon"
Own label, 2019
The subtitle of this album is half of the review—a lyrical interweaving of Classical Music & Irish Song. The second half of the review is the opinion of this style. I was more hopeful going into this than I was by the time it concluded. It is a decent and interesting effort, but it stays in the softer easy listening range than I would have liked. Classical music and Irish music both offer more intensity shifts than is evident in this particular take. Still, good background music is available here.
© David Hintz
Badger’s Brothers "Badger’s Brothers"
ETH, 2015
Badger’s Brothers "Heavy Folk"
ETH, 2017
Although there are two separate CDs, they came to me together so I will review them back to back. And this makes even more sense as this is straight up raw original folk with a couple of guys singing, playing guitars, with the occasional mandolin or harmonica. While one song can be profound, the next might be naïve, you can’t say that these two don’t lay it all out on the line. The playing can be anything from universally primitive to delicate and interesting. This is not for everybody, but I quite like it. Although it will only be for certain moods such as when I would like some punk rock, but would rather keep it acoustic. If you had to get just one record, I recommend “Heavy Folk” as there is more interesting playing with all the same in your face songs.
© David Hintz
Pretty Archie "Hanging On"
Curve Music, 2019
This Canadian folk-rock bands leans heavily to their folk roots even as their rock underbelly adds to the heft of the overall sound. There is a bit of channeling from the old California scene as I hear some Dino Valente in here. It is a good sound to work with in any era and the success of Pretty Archie is that they make it personal and original enough to warrant much interest from folk music fans.
© David Hintz
Ellis Mano Band "Here and Now"
Own label, 2019
These guys are operating in that great bar band place where a bluesy rock band has played all the bars in the vicinity for many a year and have the experience and chops to take things up a level. Maybe not to the level of Bruce Springsteen or even Ashbury Jukes, still the Ellis Mano Band have cultivated a tired genre with a fresh approach and a gutsy sound that is quite engaging. Normally I like to see these bands live and that is still true here, but the record seems far more than an afterthought as it is for similar bands in this vein.
© David Hintz
Shakespeare and the Bible "Please Keep to the Left"
Platten Bau, 2018
Now this is folk-rock. The rhythm section knows when to push or pull back, while the strings and keyboards let the melody surge forward. The male/female vocal harmonies are excellent throughout in the manner of Kirsten & Bernd or Bread Love & Dreams. Many of the songs have that swaying feeling, not quite up to sea shanty levels, but with a similar flow. Definitely a keeper in my collection and you may want to make it a part of yours.
© David Hintz
