aaamusic | On 21, Dec 2013

Like many music reviewers I’m always wondering, what’s going to be the next big ‘thing’? After the recent Folk re-emergence I found myself asking do we really need another Wurzels & Sons or Lum-ray-mears? Lucky for us Scotland’s own Washington Irving debut release Palomides: Vol I & II is far from this annoyingly over played sound.

Throughout this melodic ten track split album, Washington Irving showcases their unique take on the Folk genre with real commitment whilst rarely deviating towards that ‘standard’ sound we have become so accustom to these days. Further expanding on the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel’s Folk-Fuzz sound, and the traditional style of The Pogues, both Vol I & II go through transitions of multiple genres at work, influencing and dictating the feel of each song whilst simultaneously making a harmonies collective.

Kicking of with ‘Wondering Wits’ instant upbeat Celtic feel, the song sets a clear tone that I could only describe similar to a sober Flogging Molly. Second track ‘Holy Company’ continues this theme but utilising more effect based experimentation with twangy Country-esk guitars and slightly distorted bass. Unfortunately not every track is an instantly lovable anthem but that said fourth track ‘She Moved Through The Fair’ is a definite highlight and perfect example of Washington Irving’s Electric-Folk sound. Moving into more Rock territory the track dynamically builds from simplistic guitar melodies into a full out crunchy bass riffs and smashing drums making a wall of surprisingly melodious noise. Perhaps more note-worthy is singer Joseph Black’s vocals shimmer with absolute clarity and tonality, something I felt this album needed more of, especially when the lyrics are based around this idea of story telling.

Vol II further expands this style of Electric Folk from the title track ‘Palomides’ more Indie groove foundation that moves quite far from the Folk genre but within this context of the album is a well placed embellishment. Personally for me during the latter half of the album it’s starts to lose steam, whilst tracks ‘Babble’ & ‘The Duel’ aren’t ‘bad’ in any musical term, each is good in it’s own way, something just feels slightly repetitive ultimately giving of a sense that perhaps this a great ‘background’ kind of band rather than trend setting.

Like most albums there will always be that one or two stand out tracks, in Vol II it’s track nine ‘Bealach-An-Righ’. Being the only instrumental and shortest track on the album, this somehow intriguingly doesn’t seem to matter. Whether that’s because it’s a good showcase for Electric Folk or if it’s simply because within this album it’s very different making it stand out is debatable. But it’s undeniable the track resonates a more Country-Rock style I feel be a great live opener, it’s got all the standard instrumentation along with the more modern adaptations to the Folk genre, electric bass, guitar effects, very lovely.

I was very torn with this album review; on one side I was over the moon that this wasn’t another obligatory modern Folk band and had elements of originality, but at the same time in places it did become very similar almost to the point of background music. But I guess that is the chaotic nature of all art, just depends how much you like Folk music. Wherever you stand on this question Palomides is unquestionable a welcomed change.

★★★★★

Daniel Garnham