We continue our retrospective look back at the Best Albums of 2013 (read Part 1,2 here).
eagleowl – This Silent Year
It took the Edinburgh post folk band eagleowl eight years to grow their debut album. This Silent Year is a thoughtful progression of summers past and hangs about the house like insomnia waiting for the morning.
Review
Farriers – Years Ago In Our Backyard
Northern Ireland’s ‘Farriers’ came up trumps on their full length debut release ‘Years Ago In Our Backyard’, an album that matches the warmth of their live performances which will beckon you back for more.
Review
Phosphorescent – Muchacho
Another that will make many end of years lists…Muchacho was Phosphorescent’s redemption offering, a step into new sonic territory. Melancholic but tinged by the welcoming sun of a new day. Houck is at the peak of his creativity, simply brilliant!
Review
Billy Bragg – Tooth & Nail
On Billy Bragg’s ‘Tooth & Nail’ he got off the train to take stock and came up with a winner. He continues to embrace struggle, he just brings it down to a micro-level and shoots straight for the heart!
Review
John Smith – Great Lakes
Devon troubadour John Smith has rubbed shoulders with some of the best folk artists on the scene and ‘Great Lakes’ made it clear that he now deserves his place alongside them.
Review
Thirty Pounds of Bone – I Cannot Sing You Here, But For Songs Of Where
‘I Cannot Sing You Here, But For Songs Of Where’ saw Johny Lamb (aka Thirty Pounds of Bone) further explore his continuing theme of place which adopts, appropriates and abuses forms of traditional music, with the hybridity that has previously gained him much praise from critics. Featuring Darren Hayman (Hefner), Laurence Collyer (Diamond Family Archive) it came up a winner.
More
Rob Heron & The Teapad Orchestra – Money Isn’t Everything
A great 2013 discovery: Rob Heron & The Teapad Orchestra…a young six-piece band based in Newcastle upon Tyne, the UK’s answer to Pokey LaFarge. They will keep any joint jumping!
Review
Chris Wood – None The Wiser
An album we had the pleasure of revealing track by track on the run up to its release. As you’d expect from Chris ‘None the Wiser’ carried outstanding songs, his best yet!
More here
Erica Buettner – True Love And Water
A debut album that was a long time in the making. As a 19 year old she swapped New England for Paris, France where she began to build a reputation. Having caught the ear of producer Pierre Faa, which set up an impromptu recording session, a collaboration was forged that took two more years to create the unique soundscapes of True Love And Water.
Review & Interview
Roddy Woomble – Listen to Keep
Roddy Woomble the erstwhile Idlewild-er has proved over a series of albums, with band, solo and in consort with others, to have a consummate gift for a tune. Listen to Keep was no exception!
Review
Gavin Davenport – The Bone Orchard
There’s a great energy to Gavin Davenport’s new album ‘The Bone Orchard’. Whether the sleight of the poacher or the thrill of the races he has a commanding voice that brings these songs to life.
Review
Megan Wyler – The Fraying
If there is something ineffable about the pleasure of Megan Wyler’s album ‘Through the Noise’, it comes from the shifting focus of fine details…a gentle breeze of ideas, a silken shawl of a voice and the luxury of time stood still as the mind gently ripples with possibilities.
Review | Interview
Bella Hardy – battleplan
Bella Hardy’s ‘battleplan’ is by far and away her most consistent record to date which reunites her with producer Mattie Foulds. It may also be amongst the best sounding CDs you’ll hear this year.
Review & Interview
Katy Carr – Paszport
Katy Carr’s ‘Paszport’ was an outstanding album and ranked well up there amongst our favourites of 2013…a complex, moving and hugely enjoyable work that captures some of the essence of Katy’s Polish heritage, while asking bold questions about national identity and repression.
Review | Live Review
Steve Martin & Edie Brickell – Love Has Come For You
Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s release ‘Love Has Come For You’ is a gem! No matter how casually the initiation both Edie and Steve rightly recognise that they have created something special.
Review
Arborea – Fortress of the Sun
Fortress of the Sun was a welcome return from Folk Radio UK favourites Arborea: Becoming the Latin root of their name, their fifth album transcends eras like the roots of an ancient tree and tells stories in meditative glimpses.
Review