Low Countries - The Failing of the Strains

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 10 / 1 / 2009

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My favourite film is 'The Wicker Man' (the original, not that piss poor Nicolas Cage remake). It has everything – a great script, an ending to die for (pun intended), wonderful performances from Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland’s naked dance during the seduction scene and the beguiling soundtrack. As a result, I am drawn to any band releasing an LP of music inspired by the film. Candidate released one such record a few years back entitled ‘Nuada’ and, whilst it was a decent effort, it fell short of fully capturing unnerving feel of the film. Lancaster’s the Low Countries make a similar stab, but also fall short, so it’s probably only fair that I review ‘The Failing Of The Strains’ as a merely a folk tinged record without further reference to a film I hold in such high regard. Highlight of the album is 'Nature Nuture', an infectious sea-shanty that brilliantly showcases the vocal interplay of Nigel Parrington and Els D’hooge. It’s a tried and tested formula that serves the group well throughout the record, but while most songs have a traditional flavour to them, this is very much a contemporary body of work. I said I wouldn’t refer back to 'The Wicker Man', but in one of Christopher Lee’s key dialogues in the film he explains why a sacrifice is necessary “….before the Wicker Man came the failing of the strains…” . The highest compliment I can pay is that if ‘The Failing Of The Strains’ had come before 'The Wicker Man', I would be describing it as an unnerving and eerie, but ultimately charming offering. Post 'The Wicker Man' I am left with split loyalties. High praise indeed.

Track Listing:-

1 Prepare To Weep
2 Handmaid's Blush
3 Potash Sea
4 Nature Nuture
5 Drone King
6 Woodfever
7 God's Got His Plans
8 Gatherdown

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/thelowcountries
http://thelowcountries.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/thelowcountries?lang=en

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