Cinder Well - Under the Radar
by Keith How
published: 9 / 9 / 2020
intro
'Under the Radar' uncovers a groundbreaking new album from one of the forerunners of the new underground roots music movement. Keith How finds Cinder Well’s 'No Summer' a lo-fi masterpiece, which is both reverential and beautiful.
It was a fair wind that carried Amelia Baker (Cinder Well) to the Emerald Isle and County Clare in search of traditional music, to tune into the magic of Ireland’s soul. Already a talented fiddle player, Baker soon connected with its musical heritage, joining hands with folk/punk outfit Lankum before settling in County Clare. In this context, the songs that make up the album ‘No Summer’ seem to take on a whole new life. Originally recorded in a converted church in Washington D.C., ‘No Summer’ is stripped back to the bare essentials, revealing a sense of otherworldliness. It reflects the pandemic isolation we find ourselves in and the mystical aura found in the landscape and nature. The sparse minimalism of Baker’s emotional vocal delivery flies in the face of today’s overproduced and cluttered music. The sense of spirituality and healing grace is both tender and beautiful. It’s as if Baker adopted the role of a travelling minstrel. Opener ‘Wandering Boy’ seems to echo from some distant mountain cabin, and the rest of the album continues in a similar vein, quietly and magically intoxicating the listener. ‘Old Enough’ is truly magnificent – Baker’s voice seems to come from another place, gentle and fragile. The song ends with an acapella, mantra-like chorus that is jaw-droppingly moving. The ending sequence ‘The Doorway’ and ‘From Behind the Curtain’ are truly moments of wonder. The themes that run through these compositions feel made for these times. Poetic lyrics charting isolation, uncertainty and strangeness, shrouded in banjo, guitar, viola and not much else. It makes ‘No Summer’ a richly rewarding listen.
Band Links:-
https://cinderwellmusic.com/https://www.facebook.com/cinderwell
https://twitter.com/cinder_well
https://cinderwell.bandcamp.com/
Play in YouTube:-
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
soundcloud
reviews |
Cadence (2023) |
Kaleidoscopic and evocative new album from Cinder Well, the project of Los Angeles experimental folk artist Amelia Baker |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
Pere Ubu - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart