Rebsie Fairholm - Mind The Gap [Woven Wheat Whisphers - 2008]Mind the Gap mangers to mix electronica elements and beats with traditional English folk in a successful and rewarding manner with out sounding too new age like and keeping a keen atmosphere. I think this difficult balance between electronics and folk is managed due to never smothering or weakening the folk vocals,acoustic guitars and traditional instruments rich sonic pallet. When beats and electronics appear there nicely merged into the song craft- so there an enjoyable part of the whole but never become too glaring. Rebsie Fairholm has a pleasant tuneful folk voice and she sings convincing in both English and Gaelic, along with some quite effective creepy spoken word elements too. While there are darker hues present here, musically it’s fairly up-beat and warming as rock, classical and pop tones are also weaved in too. In my mind there’s only one major miss-step here and that’s the folk/ rock/ pop of Leaf blower- with it’s very gringe inducing lyrics about Rebsie next door neighbours leafblower sung over twee lifeless electric/ acoustic guitar tuneful strum. So all in all an enjoyable mixing of the old and new in a convincing, tuneful & atmospheric manner. I’ll certainly keep my eyes out for any future work from Rebsie- to hear samples, get more info and buy go here. Roger Batty
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