Billy Vincent - King Island Coyote

by Carl Bookstein

published: 5 / 4 / 2011

Label: Something Nothing Records
Format: CD

intro

Appealing debut EP from South London-based dirty folk five piece, Billy Vincent

With a sound that is at once earthy and homegrown, Billy Vincent are a South London based outfit. Fronted by Billy Barratt and David Vincent and formed in 2008, they are self described as a “dirty folk” five piece. Billy Vincent’s 'King Island Coyote’EP, their first, starts out with the song 'Prairie Wolves'. A serenade of fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar supports music that is down home from the get go. The lead vocal strikes a warm familiar tone. The lyric is thoughtful: “I aint proud at all/Even the tall trees fall.” This music oozes comfort with a welcoming melodic hook. 'They Break Bones' captures images of lines in the road, gravel and stones as well as the repeated vision of a car crash. There is some stinging electric guitar work here as well as music that rocks in a straight ahead style. 'Trouble Never Comes Alone' is an additional intriguing story song: “There’s devils in her memory/There’s devils in her home.” The track 'Tubes/ Wires' closes the EP; another down home earthbound tune, with distinctive fiddle work. The lyric is thought provoking; “It’s the simple law of average- Too much of something and you’ll wind up damaged.” followed by the chorus “Take me home” which repeats. It is a fine ending to a solid EP by Billy Vincent.