aaamusic | On 10, Jun 2012

Changing Horses are a Lincoln UK based indie-folk duo which comprises Richard Birtill (vocals and guitar) and Francesca Cullen (vocals, violin, mandolin and melodeon). They’re influenced by the psychedelic Incredible String Band together with the experimental art punk of The Fall.
The Nashville Sessions is their 6 track debut CD released on 11th June, 2012. It was recorded with producer Chris Donohue (Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Ben Folds) in Nashville, Tennessee over almost a year. He gave his expertise on mandolin, electric, acoustic bass and keyboards. They’re also joined by Stephen Leiweke (guitar, engineering) Ken Lewis (drums, percussion) and the Echo Chamber Society (additional strings).

Cut All Strings, a joyous, catchy and infectious song, is followed by the lively I Don’t Need It. Let’s Go Dancing demonstrates their idiosyncratic style and in 1 Million Screaming Angels there’s the distinctive sound of fingers moving across the fret board. Tom Brown School Days’ is a tale of unrest with some wild drumming. With a tortured and desperate feel, the album closes with Till Death Do Us Part.

This is alternative acoustic folk, not country as the title might suggest. It’s strange, quirky and eclectic. The upbeat tunes, very experimental, are well written and arranged with catchy, witty lyrics.

With intriguing theatrics and unconventional poetry, Changing Horses shows a fresh creative flair. Their music is fiery and delicate, a bit like the eccentric Shakespearean depiction of Hamlet and Ophelia on the cover.

★★★★★

Anthony Weightman