UK folk band Keston Cobblers Club offer a full course of old school storytelling and performing skills on their new album Alchemy. They mainly rely on acoustic instruments, but they hand over the spotlight to a tuba or an accordion every now and then. As folkies the lyrics are the driving force. Top shelf vocals, with well-placed call-and-response and ace harmonizing, make it a joy to listen to.
The subject matter is close the home, with songs about coping with everyday life (Find My Way), failing to connect despite trying hard (Jupiter, Strangers Now) and having trouble sleeping at night Lullaby For The Wide Awake. Melancholy, joking around, surprise, grief and joy are treated like equals. It is like leafing through an album of family snapshots. There are plenty of characters and events in there with universal appeal.
Alchemy is released via Absolute Records (vinyl, CD). The album is available here.
Tracks:- Anthem Of The Alchemist
- Find My Way
- Junctions
- Rigmarole
- Jupiter
- Lullaby For The Wide Awake
- The Holiday
- Strangers Now
- Mrs Dixon
- Blood Runs Thicker
- Eglantine
- Tarantula
- No, You Are Not Alone
- Josephine's Routine (CD and music box bonus track)
- 04/22 Liverpool @ Jimmy’s
- 04/23 Newcastle @ The Globe
- 04/24 Birmingham @ The Hare and Hounds
- 05/05 London @ The Garage
- 05/12 Cardiff @ Acapela
- 05/13 Newton Abbot @ Abbotsbury Church
- 05/14 Salisbury @ The Winchester Gate
- 05/19 Hull @ The Social
- 05/20 Oxfo The Bullingdon
- 05/22 Leeds @ Oporto
