Eighteenth Day Of May - Eighteenth Day Of May

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 19 / 11 / 2005

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The Eighteenth Day of May are a new London-based band which consists of New Orleans native and vocalist Alison Brice, who also plays flute, dulcimer and harmonium ; ex-Saloon member Alison Cotton on viola ; Richard Olson, a Swedish singer/songwriter and his fellow guitarist Ben Phillipson. They are assisted by two ex members of Of Arrowe Hill, bassist Mark Nicholas and drummer Karl Sabino. Their eponymous debut album is definitely an album for the 'Mojo' generation. It is performed with a love of traditional folk music , but this has been updated so as not to make it sound like something retro in feel. It is very elegant and, totally out of place in the current crazy world of indiedom, very much deserves to be heard, so open up your ears. It begins with the vibrant and exciting 'Eighteen Days', which is very folky but also has a fresh air of west coast psychedelia. Alison's vocal is angelical, but avoids being sickly sweet, Mark's bass lines are cool, and it sounds like the Byrds at their best. 'Sir Casey Jones' has a driving beat that reminds you of innocent days in the school yard and holding hands for the first time. On this the Eighteenth Day of May really show their folk roots. 'The Highest Tree' is a head bopping number and is as classy as anything delivered by Kirsty MacColl, while 'Deed I Do' is a cover by Johnny Marr's favourite folkie, Bert Jansch. This is slow and very sad with strong backing from all six members. 'Hide and Seek' is perky in an early Byrds way. Richard takes lead vocals and it also has some solid backing harmonies. 'Twig Folly Close', a song by Ben, is short and sweet, while 'Lady Margaret' is an old traditional number and has it roots in times gone by. 'Cold Early Morning' is delivered with grace and style and flows by very smoothly and has great guitar grooves. 'Monday Morning's No Good Coming Down' is as powerful as any classic song by one of the great singer/songwriters from the golden days of the late 60's and early 70's back when we had flowers in our hair. 'The Waterman's Song to His Daughter' is a narrative folk number, while 'Flowers of the Forest' again is traditional, but has a strong viola feel that sits well along with the male/female vocals. 'The Mandrake Screams' ends this excellent album with some psychedelia.

Track Listing:-

1 Eighteen Days
2 Sir Casey Jones
3 The Highest Tree
4 Deed I Do
5 Hide + Seek
6 Twig Folly Close
7 Lady Margaret
8 Cold Early Morning
9 Monday Morning's No Good Coming Down
10 The Waterman's Song To His Daughter
11 Flowers Of The Forest
12 The Mandrake Screams

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