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| an
excellent debut |
“Magicfolk”
is the debut album of Norfolk-based pagan psych-folk outfit
Magicfolk. The band have been going since 2003, experiencing
various additions and changes to their line-up over the last
five years, so that they have become a seven-piece. But now
their album is here: twelve tracks parcelled up in an attractive
sea-blue wrapper.
Just looking at the song titles gives the listener an idea
of what territory the band come from. The lyrics are heavy
with Greek, Egyptian and Celtic pagan references; the music
essentially acoustic, with electric and ethnic elements.
The opening track “Green Man” is a folky number,
in ¾ time for that authentic feel, though here the
progressive influence is strong. “Sheba” has great
vocals and harmony vocals from Michelle Glover, and a smattering
of ethnic percussion. The third track “Persephone”
is perhaps the most obviously psych-folk of any on the album,
and recalls the music of Circulus, to great effect.
“Little Spirit” has a great tune, Spanish guitar,
and very good vocals, while “Aibo” is a weird
little song with science-fiction lyrics; yet another one in
¾ time. More Egyptian-themed lyrics arrive with “Heliopolis”,
and then we’re into “Angel”, a Spanish-guitar
infused paeon to angelic protection. The strange time-signatures
of “Furies” (5/8 and 7/8 I believe) launch a very
weird track, filled with screaming vocals and some fine electric
guitar shredding; this track reminded me strongly of ‘eighties
festie band The Ullulators. The track leads the listener
on to “Egypt”, which could have come from a ‘seventies
album by that fine folk-prog group Renaissance; great
flute playing, and another strong song. Saxophone underpins
the keening “Narcissus”, then we have the chilled
acoustic balladry and piano of “Diving Bell”.
The concluding track, “Sea Priestess”, is the
best track on the album, with a great chorus and some particularly
good electric guitar playing. It’s much longer than
the other tracks too – a superb conclusion, especially
as we fade out into ocean sounds...
I liked this album a lot. It is original, well played, and
very well produced. While it does stay within the realm of
psych-folk for its duration, the themed lyrics make the album
stand out. The keyboards have the feel of ECM jazz albums,
lending the music another unusual aspect. But the playing
throughout is good, and Michelle Glover’s voice suits
the material perfectly. An excellent debut, recommended to
those into Circulus, Mellow Candle or Renaissance.
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| Terrascope |
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| musical
shores of Iona |
My compass-needle glided between
the musical shores of Iona and the atmospheric realms
of Mermaid Kiss! A compelling mix of quality female
vocals, keyboards, flute, acoustic and electric guitars, and
the core ingredients of songs written by founders Michelle
(lead vocals, acoustic guitar), and Ben Glover (bass, additional
keys). Highlights include catchy opener Green Man: clever
word-play with story-telling, cinematic-lyrics; Aibo (Artificial
Intelligence roBOt): a haunting Sci-Fi tinged song with wry
humour; Diving Bell: mysterious and moody it sets the scene
with bell-clear acoustic guitar and emotive vocals, clever
piano and nice synth-washes! A delightful slow-burner; growing
brighter with each listen, to reveal more depths.
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like
the bright sun burning through the morning fog |
Like the bright sun burning
through the morning fog, Magicfolk come bearing tradition,
vision, passion and mysticism. On this, their debut, the seven-piece
is blessed with the beautiful lead voice of Michelle Glover
(who also plays acoustic guitar and handles much of the composition),
and backed by two additional female voices within the band
(guitarist Vicky Grady and Josephone, who doubles on flute,
sax and bass clarinet). The four remaining players handle
keyboards, lead guitar, bass, drums and percussion. The material
here was written and recorded over a five year period, and
many of the songs feature players and vocalists from earlier
versions of the band, plus some guests also; even as such,
the result is surprisingly consistent across the twelve pieces
presented. Stylistically, they are somewhere between the late-sixties
West Coast folk-rock sound (think PBC or earliest
Airplane) and the British progressive folk-rock of
the late sixties and early seventies, though one might hear
many similarities to the early (pre-symphonic) work of contemporaries
Iona. These ears often hear a sound reminiscent of
the British progressive band Solstice on their early
outings Silent Dance and New Life. "Heliopolis"
is a case in point: after the first vocal section, the band
revs up for a restless workout on multiple guitars with bass
clarinet that would make the crimson king proud. The blood-curdling
screams on "Furies" that give way to a blistering
guitar lead is another. All taken, an excellent slab of modern
British folk-hippie-rock that most will enjoy.
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| the
enchanted kingdom |
Norfolk-based
psychedelic folk band Magicfolk were founded in 2003
as an acoustic trio, but their sound has evolved and expanded,
with the band now featuring seven regular members as well
as a number of guest musicians. The core of the band is the
husband-and-wife songwriting team of Michelle and Ben Glover.
Michelle handles lead vocals and also plays acoustic guitar,
whilst Ben also plays guitar and some bass, and writes a lot
of the lyrics and music. Michelle’s mellifluous lead
vocals are augmented by the two other female members of the
band, guitarist Vicky Grady and Josephone, who plays flute,
sax and clarinet, to produce beautiful three-part choral harmonies,
and the band’s sound is rounded out with the addition
of drums, bass, keyboards, lead electric guitar from Andy
Hines, and an occasional sprinkling of other instruments such
as bouzouki and banjo.
The twelve tracks on this self-released
debut album are all original, with strong lyrics based around
pagan, pastoral and mythological themes, obvious in titles
such as ‘Green Man’, ’Persephone’
and ‘Sea Priestess’. Magicfolk’s
music is heavily indebted to the West Coast acid rock of
late 60s bands like Jefferson Airplane and The
Grateful Dead as well as British folk revival bands
like Pentangle and Mellow Candle. The
soaring guitar leads of Andy Hines, who I wager has more
than a few Pink Floyd albums at home, adds a strong
psychedelic accent to songs which would otherwise be fairly
straightforward acoustic folk. Songs which stood out for
me included ‘Furies’, probably the noisiest
and hardest-rocking track here, which has spoken-word vocals
in Greek (the only male vocals on the album), as well as
wild incantatory screaming reminiscent of Diamanda Galás
at her most frenzied – which is a good thing! The
smooth prog-rock flute, funky bassline and harmony vocals
of closing track ‘Sea Priestess’, which has
lyrics adapted from the novel of the same name by occultist
Dion Fortune, are very satisfying too. Magicfolk’s
closest contemporaries are probably Circulus and
the Greek band Défilé Des Âmes,
so if you like those bands, I really recommend checking
out Magicfolk.
The Magicfolk album was formerly
available for download from Woven Wheat Whispers,
the now sadly extinct folk music download service, but I'm
sure the band has copies available. Plans are already afoot
for the recording of the second Magicfolk album,
and I did hear a rumour to the effect that Magicfolk
are going to feature on an upcoming folk compilation album,
so look out for those. But alas and alack, it’s now
time to depart from the enchanted kingdom of Magicfolk
and move on to my next review, which happens to be some
super-harsh power electronics. Working for the Judas
Kiss isn’t all mermaids and unicorns, you know…
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illusorio
gioco di specchi
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Il debutto di questo settetto
del Norfolk è tra i dischi più sorprendenti
che mi sia capitato di recente. E pensare che non gli mancherebbero
i requisiti per finire d’amblé liquidato: dall’artwork
vagamente new age a quei titoli che sprizzano mitologismo
più esteriore che altro, per arrivare ovviamente
alle canzoni, tutte originali eppure capaci di sembrare
altrettante cover degli empiti nostalgici - o se volete
delle ossessioni - di Michelle e Ben Glover, fondatori del
combo nonché autori di quasi tutto il repertorio.
Ossessioni a base di folk psichedelico sbilanciato prog,
mistura Jefferson Airplane, Clannad
e Fairport Convention con additivi Jethro Tull,
spore Pink Floyd e - massì - un velo di
emulsione Dead Can Dance: perlopiù materiale
da festival muffoso tendente alla festa di San Patrizio?
No. Non solo, almeno. Il sortilegio in qualche modo attraversa
le membrane degli altoparlanti e ti fodera d’un incanto
convincente. Tutto appare consono nel suo sottovuoto autoreferenziale,
coerente, attuale e completo. Ricco addirittura coi flauti
e i sax che guizzano improvvisi a baluginare apparizioni
Catapilla, con la voce bella ma bella davvero di Michelle
ad assolvere la fin troppo algida epifania dei synth, coi
controcanti e le tessiture di chitarra e l’improvviso
spasmo elettrico e un senso di delirio che infebbra le visioni
arcadiche. Autoreferenziale se e quanto volete, chiuso nel
proprio illusorio gioco di specchi, ma in grado di strapparsi
una propria lucida ragion d’essere. La quale –
che altro dire? - diverte. (7/10)
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| a
raft of magical spells... a silver blade wrapped in lace |
Last week a CD
arrived with a herald’s caduceus on the front and a seagull
in flight on the back cover. Do you know what? That CD from
Magicfolk heralded fantastic flights of musical and
lyrical fancy mixed with a touch of pagan lore, medieval storytelling
and a gentle otherworldly air. Magicfolk blend tantalisingly
delicate music with wistful poetic meandering lyrics. Then
when you’ve been gently wafted into a dreamlike trance by
Michelle Glover’s fey voice backed by some lovingly layered
harmonies and Miki Kovalkovic’s haunting keyboards, striking
guitar breaks from Andy Hines and Tom Abbott take the enchantment
to another level.
‘Green Man’ opens
the album - some interesting lyrics here … “walk with the
Green man, take the contra-flow, you don’t need traffic signs
to follow the Ley lines.” It’s a gentle exploration of folklore
and mystical thought. ‘Persephone’ is one of those songs that
instantly entices - Michelle’s tranquil vocals are breathtaking,
and Josephine’s flute hovers round your ears. ‘Furies’ has
some hidden menace lurking in there - Ben Glover’s bass drives
the song while ethereal screams and words prowl between the
music and lyrics. Definitely a track to play with the lights
out but make sure there’s someone to hold your hand. "Sea
Priestess" positively rocks - but their delicate touch
is still there. It’s a silver blade wrapped in lace as the
vocals wrap around you while the keyboards and guitars slice
like swirling knives.
The list of performers
is wide and varied (much like everything about Magicfolk)
the sleeve notes credit numerous musicians and voices. Magicfolk’s
music would never pass the Old Grey Whistle Test (the ability
to whistle the tune on one hearing) but that’s not what they’re
about. Magicfolk construct a complex potion of sounds using
instruments and voices to seduce your ears. If you want to
slide off this planet with all its cares and go somewhere
mysterious listen to Magicfolk. Ben and Michelle
write music that acts like mental balm – soothing and revitalising
– remember to hold on softly though - if you grip too hard
their ethereal sounds will slip right through your fingers.
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| hugely
evocative |
|
New(ish)
British bands are coming out of the woodwork in some unusual
places, and when these places are of a predominantly rural nature,
it is not surprising that the music is likely to be rather pastoral
and delicate in style.
I have previously
introduced you to Mermaid's Kiss from Herefordshire,
and now I present Magicfolk from Norfolk (ooh-arhh!)
- a 7-piece band including no fewer than three females. (Quick,
call the Classic Rock Society someone.) In researching the background
to the band I have seen two descriptions of their style of music
that I honestly cannot improve upon; so "cider-drinking
music" and "contemporary and esoteric prog-folk"
are both included here to give you an initial impression of
what Magicfolk are all about. But I am also sure that
some of you reading this might wish to ascribe the term "west
coast" to the rather laid back style prevalent across the
album's twelve tracks and there are certainly plenty of nods
in the direction of countless Californian ensembles and stretching
all the way back to the acid/psych folk movement of the mid
to late 1960s.
As this digs back
into one strand of my own roots and early musical inclinations,
it will come as no surprise to you that I am rather taken by
this slightly whimsical and delicate musical adventure, but
whether you would be able to countenance lyrical content such
as "you don't need traffic signs to follow the ley lines"
(in opening song 'Green Man') I will have to leave to your own
conscience and preference!
Although there is
a superabundance of acoustic instrumentation (some of it quite
unusual), you will find Tom Abbott's lead guitar contributions
to 'Green Man', 'Narcissus' and 'Heliopolis' a very tasty surprise.
'Heliopolis' and album closer 'Sea Priestess' (where Lee Morant
alternatively yields the "axe") are on the one hand
fairly lengthy complex progressive numbers, but are also in
places hugely evocative of that certain ethereal brew of late
60s experimentalism - and therefore properly described as "retrogressive".
I'm sure you will also find yourself bringing to mind a popular
song by America when you listen to the former song!
For those of you
who won't frown at obscure meandering lyrical content and like
to vary your melodic intake whilst enjoying strong and evocative
melodies from massed female voices attempting ambitious songs,
then this is an album that you really must try. |
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Originally founded
by Michelle and Ben Glover as a trio this now seven piece band
have released their first album, and what a “dilly”.
It’s as well a crafted piece of folk-rock as I come across
in many a year.
Michelle and Ben have individually or in concert
written every track on the CD and with Michelle’s vocals
fronting the band have produced a most worthy work. In addition
they have designed a most attractive cover for the album.
A couple of genuine all-rounders it appears.
Classifying themselves as “psych-folk”
(A new one to me. Pardon my ignorance) they have a mixture
of ‘Tull, West Coast rock & Fairport
Convention with the cadences of Pentangle and
a touch of Clannad thrown in for good measure and
if you find that hard to imagine then go to the website and
have a listen.
The lyrics, as one might guess with a band
called Magicfolk are inspired by folklore, mysticism
and all things esoteric. There’s a variety of different
sound on offer from “ Persephone” with its more
traditional folk sound to “Furies” much rockier
presentation and interesting use of background speech (in
Greek) reminiscent of “Friends of Mr. Cairo” from
Jon & Vangelis. Then there’s good
acoustic guitar work on “Little Spirit”, the richer
sound provided by the clarinets on “Heliopolis”,
evocative lyrics of “Egypt” and all topped off
with “Sea Priestess” which brings to life that
magnificent work by Dion Fortune.
This is an album worth adding to your collection
and personally I’m already looking forward to their
next offering.
The Magicfolk website is worth a
visit too. Not least because it’s one of the ways to
purchase the album, but its nice design, inclusion of bio’s,
news and gigs etc. makes it a good piece of promotional work
for the band and a pleasure to surf.
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| di
grande trasporto emotivo |
Dalle terre d'Albione, luoghi
dove la musica folk ha radici profonde, ci giunge una band
il cui monicker la dice lunga su quali siano le mire artistiche
dei propri componenti, nonché una bella sorpresa in
senso generale... Guidato da Ben e Michelle Glover, l'eight-piece
inglese sceglie la via dell'autoproduzione per il proprio
debutto ufficiale, curando bene tanto la veste grafica quanto
la produzione del dischetto in esame, dopo dei primi passi
mossi come trio in forma esclusivamente acustica nel 2003.
La band stessa definisce la propria musica come 'psychfolk
pagano', e cita fra le proprie influenze dirette nomi quali
Jethro Tull, David Bowie, Clannad,
Dead Can Dance, Enya, Fairport Convention,
Genesis, Jefferson Airplane, Kate Bush,
Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young,
PJ Harvey, Renaissance, Rush, Radiohead,
Steeleye Span e Simon & Garfunkel, una
lunga lista sostanzialmente sottoscrivibile (magari accludendo
i Capercaillie), nonché contemplativa di tutte
quelle che possono essere le effettive fonti d'ispirazione
di musicisti così versatili e già attivi anche
in ambiti diversi dal folk più tradizionale. Più
semplicemente e senza scomodare troppi facili paragoni, quello
dei Magicfolk è un suono che se da un lato
affonda le proprie radici nella tradizione folk anglosassone,
dall'altro è anche capace di incorporare al meglio
influenze rock e jazz, passando per ritmi sudamericani fino
a certo prog di qualche decade fa: tutte correnti musicali
che la band riesce a filtrare in un tessuto sonoro di stampo
squisitamente folk con assoluto gusto, senza che nulla faccia
a pugni col resto nelle dodici canzoni che compongono questo
bel debutto. Nonostante si tratti del disco d'esordio, appare
evidente come questi musicisti abbiano dalla loro esperienza
e preparazione tecnica in abbondanza: guidato dalla bella
voce della versatile Michelle e dalle pregiate e cristalline
chitarre acustiche, che ricamano trame raffinate e ricche
di sfumature, il suono della band si presenta ricco, arioso
e capace di grande trasporto emotivo, come dimostrano l'opener
"Green Man", la rilassata e passionale "Sheba",
la delicata e carezzevole "Persephone", l'ispirato
gioiellino folk "Little Spirit" e l'intensa "Aibo".
Nel soave tessuto sonoro della band si innestano con assoluta
naturalezza non solo flauto e percussioni, ma anche un drumming
devoto tanto al jazz quanto ai ritmi sudamericani e delle
chitarre elettriche capaci di solos d'estrazione squisitamente
rock: un equilibrio perfetto fra irruenza elettrica ed intimità
acustica che permea l'intero ascolto dell'album. Impossibile
non menzionare anche "Heliopolis", capace di un
break centrale di stampo squisitamente prog, la delicatissima
"Angel", la più movimentata "Furies"
(dotata di arrangiamenti vorticosi e di un guitar-solo funambolico),
l'ariosa "Egypt", la jazz-oriented "Diving
Bell" e la conclusiva "Sea Priestess", le cui
strutture vanno ben oltre i canoni del classico folk. Miscelando
al meglio influenze concrete in un contesto di per sé
già mirabilmente affinato, specialmente in virtù
di arrangiamenti creativi ed azzeccati, i Magicfolk
sono riusciti nell'impresa di produrre qualcosa di fresco
e vitale in un ambito dove la ripetizione di certi logori
schemi continua ad essere vista spesso e volentieri come la
'via maestra': un traguardo importante per una band che ha
i numeri per conquistare ascoltatori su vari fronti, incluso
il nostro, che di certo non potrà rimanere insensibile
nei confronti di una proposta così valida e convincente
a tutti i livelli.
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| impecable |
M agicfolk - "Magicfolk"
Este primer trabajo de la banda afincada en las islas británicas,
puede traernos recuerdos de la década de los 90, cuando
cds con las palabras celtic o new age copaban las estanterías
de las tiendas. Recopilatorios bastante insulsos donde apenas
valían la pena 1 o 2 canciones se codeaban con trabajos
de pesos pesados como Enya, Loreena McKennitt o The Chieftains,
por citar algunos.
Magicfolk son un nutrido grupo de buenos
músicos, la música que hacen es impecable,
llevan 10 años de conciertos a sus espaldas y eso
puede apreciarse. Practican un estilo defolk que autodefinen
como "psychfolk".
Al ser un trabajo autoproducido siempre
se rodea de ese halo de especial mimo que tienen este tipo
de trabajos, sacados a base de esfuerzo e ilusión
de los componentes. Los temas del disco nos hacen un recorrido
por mitologías varias del mundo, pero a un nivel
más popular y accesible de lo que tenemos acostumbrados
a leer entre estas páginas de Mentenebre.
Aquí no hay odas a runas germanas,
nostalgia por tiempos mejoreso cultos mistéricos
o de deidades paganas de rincones ignotos del globo. Egipto
y Grecia son las principales fuentes de inspiración
para las canciones, siendo el tema de 'Furies' el más
destacado de todo el trabajo, logrando una sensación
de agobio al introducir burlonas voces en griego o cacofónicos
alaridos femeninos.
Otros temas, como el segundo, titulado 'Sheba'
ahonda en el reino de Saba citado en el Corán y el
Antiguo Testamento. La mitología judeo-cristiana
también vuelve a hacer acto de aparición en
la séptima canción,'Angel'.Magicfolk - "Magicfolk"
En el quinto corte, 'Aibo' guitarras y voces
se integran a la perfección, siendo de agradecer
la presencia casi exclusiva de instrumentos acústicos,
y algo de viento, otorgándole al tema un cariz más
cálido, cercano.
El resto de temas sin ser para nada malos
o mediocres, no llegan a sorprender y no pasan de ser formalmente
correctos. Quizás el empleo de instrumentación
más tradicional y menos eléctrica hubiese
favorecido a implementar la experiencia evocadora de otras
épocas y regiones que suelen tener este tipo de trabajos.
En más de un tema los punteos de las guitarras eléctricas
no parecen formar sinergias tan a la perfección como
el resto de instrumentos.
En definitiva, un trabajo en el que se dejan
entrever buenas ideas e intenciones, y la experiencia musical
a las espaldas, y que para el neófito o el paladar
más ecléctico puede resultar más que
aceptable, pero no puede evitarse una sensación de
que aún podría dar más de sí.
Esperemos que en venideros trabajos de la banda así
sea.
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| Mentenebre |
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| sexy,
psychedelic and soothing |
|
Sexy, psychedelic and soothing, the music of
this seven-member UK collective provides an esoteric, often
haunting soundtrack that's perfect for … well, having
sex, spacing out or simply relaxing. Magicfolk began
as an acoustic trio back in 2003, and that's how long some of
the songs on this debut have fermented. Eventually adding bass,
drums, lead guitar and synths while expanding its membership,
Magicfolk have drawn comparisons to Clannad, White
Willow and Mostly Autumn. The music here leans
toward the mellow end of that spectrum, however, with the sweet
and dusty voices of three women singing over Andy Hines' stunning,
David Gilmour-like guitar work. The effect is both beautiful
and chilling.
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| haunting
and lyrical |
| Haunting
and lyrical, Magicfolk’s folk-rock debut CD has definite Pagan
and magical themes, with tracks like ‘Green Man’, ‘Persephone’
and ‘Sea Priestess’, the latter with lyrics adapted from Dion
Fortune. The female vocals are pure and harmonious, while there
is some brilliant guitar which is reminiscent of Santana
[I kid you not]. There are a range of instruments with bass,
drums, acoustic and electric guitars, flute, bazouki, keyboard,
darbuka etc. Mellow and easy on the ear, this CD is well worth
a listen. |
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| delicately
spun... the perfumed garden of psychedelia |
| Magicfolk
are composers of delicately spun acoustic rock, which as well
as visiting the perfumed garden of 60s psychedelia also integrates
folk and vaguely new wave stylings into the mix. The self-titled
debut album from the Norfolk-based seven-piece is also home
to a string of ambitious self-compositions trademarked by dreamy
female harmonies that suggest a grounding in the acid folk of
Mellow Candle and Tir Na Nog. |
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| totally
engaged expressiveness |
The group has
a core of a woman’s trio, as if this is a magical triangle
that is able to expand with their harmony voices just like
a pentangle to the outside, while surrounded by a circle of
male musicians. I can’t help it to get a very Neo-pagan feeling
to Magicfolk’s smooth self-penned folkrock sound and to their
song inspirations. It is more than once a not a direct emotional
but a thought provoked inspiration and situation which is
empowered with an attractively arranged folkrock sound that
makes the creative entity of the group, with a convincing
fashionable result, and with a form that has its own world
of totally engaged expressiveness.
From their previous
EP, the great memorable and beautifully arranged song “Aibo”
is added too. This song with all its arrangements is also
more distinctive from more deliberately focused associations.
I very much like the way how the acoustic guitars add their
own colours to “Aibo” and also to “Heliopolis” (also from
the EP). This second track is another distinctive great track
with an instrumental section of progressive guitars and some
keyboards and some additional brass instrument, nice vocal
arrangements and a good song too. On “Furies” the girls and
guitars freak a bit out according to the theme, like during
a wild dance, but also here we still hear the elves-angelic
arrangements in the vocals too. Also on the last track the
guitars get a larger free and progressive rock part.
A very good album.
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| mystic
folk-rockers… prog-rock, celtic tunes and tight vocal harmony
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| Relaxing
collection of tunes from Norwich based mystic folk-rockers Magicfolk.
The sevenpiece band, which, at one time, supported the likes
of The Mediaeval Baebes and The Daughters of Gaia
play what they describe as "esoteric psych-folk" and
pretty easygoing stuff it is too. Their tracks are a blend of
70's flavoured prog rock, Celtic tunes and tight vocal harmony;
spiked through with some very prickly electric guitar. If you
like Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull and
Jefferson Airplane, you won't be disappointed. The
opening track Green Man has some nifty lyrics while the Sea
Priestess has some pretty spacey guitar. |
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| www.magicfolk.co.uk |
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