Low Countries - The Failing of the Strains
by Dixie Ernill
published: 10 / 1 / 2009
Label:
Nub Records
Format: CD
intro
Latest album from Lancaster-based folk group the Low Countries, who taking 'The Wicker Man' film as their inspiration, have come up with something that, while not matching up to that soundtrack, is unnerving and eerie as well as ultimately charming
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 Weep2 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/thelowcountrieshttp://thelowcountries.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/thelowcountries?lang=en
soundcloud
reviews |
A Prize Every Time (2014) |
Likeable farewell compilation from under-the-radar lo-fi melancholic Anglo-Flemish indie-folk duo the Low Countries, who broke up last year |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewRod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Marika Hackman - Big Sigh
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
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