Demo
The Eighteenth Day Of May : demo (UK/US/S, 2005)****
This London based quintet started as a trio with American singer, flautist Alison Brice, Swedish born Richard Olson on acoustic guitars, harmonica and sitar, and Oxford-based Ben Phillipson on mandolin, developing their own contemporary folk sound with a psychedelic rock attitude, evolving into their own more electric folkrock sound, adding Mark Nicholas on electric bass and Karl Sabino, drums and autoharp. The result is an original Folkrock sound without sounding too much like folk (both in voice, and with band), so without falling back on the obvious way of playing folk and folkrock at all. The group has looked for a fresh honest expressive sound in the same way as Trees did. Without a deliberate imitation of their style, but with the same spirit, with a certain outside-focus, the sound of both groups became great in the same way and partlywith a comparable and effective result. Remember that Trees also had confused people a little bit too much and not enough people liked them (record sales!) to allow them survive. But we’re so many years further on now. In their own songs and interpretations, there’s a thought-over placement of rhythms and bass, sparse but effective arrangements, and a voice which is closer to folkier indie leanings. Some of the group’s own material has some psychedelic dreamy pop leanings, but always with a folk core of traditional songs and murder ballads. Excellent !! That’s one way how I like folk and folkrock to inspire afresh old themes. Also the playing is well judged (arrangements) and executed with rare integrity.
The group released a single and more singles/CD will be released soon at Cherry Red Records.
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ransistor Rec./Hannibal Rec. The Eighteenth Day Of May (UK/US/S, 2005)***°
Hearing the well produced sound of the final official release of their album I cannot say enough how good this group is. With post-Trees elements I repeat that this is how honest, pure and fresh folkrock should sound. I consider this release as a must-have for folkrock lovers, and a potentional classic.
