Minimal contemporary folk trio State River Widening
return with the follow up to last year’s Early
Music. Released on Vertical Form, Cottonhead,
the band’s third album, shows a deliberate move
towards more accessible territories. Hailing from London
where this album was recorded, multi-instrumentists
David Sheppard, also known for being a member of Wisdom
Of Harry, and Keiron Phelan, joined forces with drummer
Jon Steel to form State River Widening in the second
half of the nineties. The band released their first
single, Unsung Couples, at the end of 1998,
and, a year later, introduced their eponymous debut
album. Based around acoustic guitars, the band’s
sound also incorporates discreet electronics and occasional
percussions into sumptuous instrumentals.
Follow up to last year’s impressive Early
Music, Cottonhead appears instantly richer
and more luxuriant than its predecessors. Yet, State
River Widening retain the essence of their music through
delicate melodies and subtle arrangements. Incorporating
an ever-increasing number of instruments, from acoustic
and electric guitars to harpsichords, strings, organ
and pianos, the band create here a captivating soundtrack
evoking as much the shining lights of a spring morning
as the melancholy of a windy October day. Surprisingly,
they almost happen to step across onto the folktronica
lawn, at times finding themselves closer to Four
Tet than to Nick Drake. Yet, as the personality
of this album is slowly revealed, it becomes clear that
Cottonhead is totally unique. From the swirling
melodies of Crown and Touched, which
open the album, to the glittering marimbas of Desertesque
and the crystal-clear instrumentation of Madder
Hues, the mood is undoubtedly cinematic, as the
band carefully apply beautiful orchestrations over breezy
melodies, cautious not to disturb the fragile sonic
balance established. If processed vocal strips appear
to grace Cottonwood, Lowlands features
the vocal talent of legendary sixties folk singer Anne
Briggs. Her warm, organic singing brings an extra layer
of intensity and emotion to this track, leaving the
listener wanting for more. Still, SRW provide enough
of their own to captivate all the way through.
Just as Phelan and Sheppard have recently signed to
The Leaf Label and are planning to release a second
collaboration together, State River Widening present
here their most accomplished and accessible record to
date. As the trio perfect their blend of acoustic, electric
and electronic instruments and develop intricate soundscapes
and melodies, they reinforce their position by creating
something totally unique.
4.6/5 |
