detailed info: discogs.com

After releasing the excellent second Birch Book album in 2007, and a couple of successful tours with the likes of Woven Hand, Faun, and Sieben, it [...]]]> artist: Birch Book
release: Volume III: A Hand Full of Days
format: CD, LP
year of release: 2009
label: Little Somebody (CD), Ahnstern (LP)
duration: 60:41

detailed info: discogs.com

After releasing the excellent second Birch Book album in 2007, and a couple of successful tours with the likes of Woven Hand, Faun, and Sieben, it was time for B’eirth to settle down and record the follow-up, which is what I hold in my hand now. A Hand Full of Days was released on CD by Little Somebody Records, who’ve found a perfect addition to their roster with this album, and the vinyl edition was once again handled by Ahnstern.

The album is constructed in symmetrical fashion, with the instrumental birch tracks opening and closing the album, as they have done twice before. Also at opposing places are “Left Hand” and “Right Hand”, atmospheric instrumentals that provide a repose from the ten songs that make up the bulk of this hour-long album. The songs are in a style that has been more or less the same throughout the past decade: gentle singer/songwriter folk, with clear influences from psychedelic and neofolk, as well as touches of americana.

The production and polishing of B’ee’s music has never been better than on this album, which lends it a strong appeal, though I must say A Hand Full of Dayswon’t turn any heads in terms of innovation. B’ee does what he does best, and his strengths lie mostly in creating gentle, flowing songs with eloquent lyrics. At times, a darker atmosphere is achieved, on an instrumental like “Hatched in Stone”, which is an excellent track, but held back by a sense of understatement that works better on peaceful tracks like “Patchwork Woman”.

Altogether, though, this is another good album from one of the more unique voices in contemporary alternative folk. It most certainly won’t disappoint fans like me, but newcomers will find much to enjoy as well, especially if you have a love for calm, laid-back folk.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. Birch Leaves (2:08)
2. Feet Of Clay (3:30)
3. Empty Corner Of The Page (5:42)
4. Left Hand (3:36)
5. Patchwork Woman (5:16)
6. Stray Summer Song (6:28)
7. Hatched In Stone (6:57)
8. Sad Song (3:39)
9. Nothing More (3:23)
10. White Angel (4:52)
11. Right Hand (4:02)
12. Life’s Lace (3:52)
13. Will Of The Wind (5:02)
14. Birch Leaves (2:14)

detailed info: discogs.com.

Two Little Somebody labelmates get together on this latest instalment of the double 3″ splits. A perfect packaging once again, [...]]]> artist: The Joy of Nature / novemthree
release: Auguries Of Innocence /
Meandering In Streams Of Reflection
format: 2x 3″ CD-R
year of release: 2009
label: Little Somebody
duration: 41:53

detailed info: discogs.com.

Two Little Somebody labelmates get together on this latest instalment of the double 3″ splits. A perfect packaging once again, with a sewn paper gatefold holding the spraypainted and hand-stamped CDr’s.

Auguries of Innocence presents more of the dreamy neofolk we’ve heard on earlier The Joy of Nature releases, but mixed with some heavier rock influences, like on “Song of Innocence”. Stylistically, I like this innovation, though the vocal performance could use some brushing up here and there. All in all, this is another solid performance, and a succesful mix of intense and dreamlike folk elements. This won’t disappoint you if you were partial to Luís’ earlier work.

Novemthree is back to its highest level since Of My Mother’s Weary Wanderings…, with Pythagumus daring to put in vocal performances again. The varied singing parts on Meandering in Streams of Reflection add just the touch these compositions needed, perfecting a style the has significantly matured the past few years. This EP simply holds more excellent material for lovers of foresty neofolk, including varied instruments, percussion, and voice.

Another great touch are the über-cute buttons issued by Little Somebody to accompany this and other releases. Be sure to get some of those when ordering this split, which is recommended to all neofolk lovers.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

Auguries Of Innocence:
1.1 Die Liebe Ist Ein Traum (1:36)
1.2 Nobody’s Fault But Mine (3:05)
1.3 Song Of Innocence (4:36)
1.4 Am I A Butterfly? (1:48)
1.5 Für Das Kleine Mädchen Von Meinen Träumen (2:29)
1.6 Auguries Of Innocence (4:35)
1.7 The Show Is Over (2:50)

Meandering In Streams Of Reflection:
2.1 Reaching The Summit At Nightfall (3:11)
2.2 The First Flowers (4:18)
2.3 We All Must Die (2:57)
2.4 Gathering Wildflowers (1:45)
2.5 How Heavy The Days (4:15)
2.6 Meadow Song (3:09)
2.7 We Choose To Lie Calm (1:19)

detailed info: discogs.com

The latest on Little Somebody Records is a cute little double 3″ split between Arrowwood (Chelsea Robb) and novemthree (Pythagumus Marshall). Like I’ve come to expect, the housing is excellent: the discs are [...]]]> artist: Arrowwood / novemthree
release: Split
format: 2x 3″ CD-R
year of release: 2007
label: Little Somebody
duration: 38:23

detailed info: discogs.com

The latest on Little Somebody Records is a cute little double 3″ split between Arrowwood (Chelsea Robb) and novemthree (Pythagumus Marshall). Like I’ve come to expect, the housing is excellent: the discs are in a pretty handmade gatefold, lined with fabric on the inside. The music is also quite OK, because we get some fine dark foresty folk tunes from both artists.

Arrowwood plays a kind of neofolk, based on dark melancholic guitar and banjo melodies, combined with touches such as bells, glockenspiel, and flute. Chelsea’s voice is remarkable: a sort of girlish fairy voice, which contrasts quite strongly with the sometimes dark and horrid lyrics. On her side of the split, we get a solid collection of short songs, which may not be the most original or varied, but definitely atmospheric.

Novemthree‘s music, as some readers of our mag may know, is relatively similar, except of course for Pythagumus’ voice, and a greater emphasis on percussion. This side of the split features again a nice selection of tracks. “Scythe to the Grass” is a reworked version of the track that appeared on the downloadable part of the John Barleycorn Reborn compilation. “Stones of Blood”, like the others, is a new track, featuring hummed vocals and skin drum (bongo-like) percussion. In general, I think these tracks are on the level of those on of my mother’s weary wandering, although I miss an actual song with sung lyrics. The closing track, “Vespers”, makes up for that, however; it’s a brilliant melancholic instrumental with excellent piano work by guest artist Kelly Wise.

In short, this is another nice release from this label, with atmospheric nature-inspired folk tunes, and a great layout. If you liked what came before on the label, this won’t disappoint you, but even if you’re not familiar with the label yet, you might want to check this out if you are into dark and foresty folk atmospheres.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

Arrowwood:
1. Hawthorne Wheel (1:07)
2. Funeral Lullaby (2:10)
3. Bells in an Old Forest (2:04)
4. With My Heart in My Head Like One Eye (3:30)
5. Rising Hill (2:09)
6. Hockwold (2:01)
7. Winged Sirens (0:57)
8. Mountain Water Reprise (3:00)

novemthree:
9. Scythe to the Grass (reworked) (3:07)
10. Stones of Blood (2:33)
11. Beneath the Hemlock, Within the Grove (3:49)
12. Winding Away Through the Thicket (2:16)
13. To Breathe in the Trees (5:50)
14. Vespers (3:50)