Honest, in-depth album reviews by KLOF Mag – championing and curating intelligent, uncompromising voices in contemporary and experimental music since 2004.
Albums
by Thomas Blake
Strength and courage is what ‘Strangers’ is all about. Despite the hardships it describes, there is barely a moment on this album that doesn’t hum with positivity. The Young’uns have perfected a sound that is as unique as it is uplifting, and it would be no surprise if their already burgeoning popularity were to rise to even greater heights.
by David Kidman
If there are any listeners who might harbour the thought that the presentation of “one man and his box” would by now be sounding a touch tired, then this thoroughly refreshing new John Kirkpatrick album should convince them otherwise. It finds him in splendid voice and both nimble and sparky in his perennially expert squeezeboxery.
by Dave McNally
On their new album ‘Interesting Times’, Basco invite you to ‘listen, ponder and sip your drink, and we’ll see you all out there tomorrow ready to sniff the air, feel the grass, and see which road seems better’. You should accept the invitation.
by Mike Davies
It’s impossible to listen to Marry Waterson without the inevitable comparison to her mother, Lal. However, this album is firm evidence that while the apple may not have fallen far from the tree, it has grown into very much its own orchard, one made all the richer by her partnership with David A. Jaycock. This is one to treasure.
by David Kidman
The Rails’ ‘Other People’ has a supremely classy feel, and the music is pure gold. In terms of both writing and execution, its ten original songs exude an even more finely honed classiness than those on their well-received debut ‘Fair Warning’.
by Peter Shaw
On Acoustic Rarities, Richard Thompson offers an opportunity to see the scope of his multiple talents. As well as giving us new takes on familiar songs there are a few gems balanced out by some fantastic new material.
What Jiggy do most successfully is prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that music is the heart and soul of the thriving, all-embracing multi-cultural arts scene in the Irish Republic. Translate is an exceptional and intoxicating album that will find its way into the heart and soul of an ever-increasing audience.
by Paul Kerr
Gathering is Josh Ritter’s best collection so far of fractured and fearful characters who are battling the elements and their own inner demons. The album itself is a roller coaster of emotion with Ritter mining a rich seam of Americana music.