Black Guards - Drawn In

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 20 / 9 / 2017

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The debut from Cumbrian-based six-piece the Black Guards (at the time of recording, it appears that Anne Marie McStraw who contributed mandolin, pipe and fiddle has now departed, leaving the band temporarily a five-piece unit) is a four-track EP, issued on the Folkstock Records label and produced by Lauren Deakin Davies who has produced some wonderful music with Kelly Oliver. Given their name and the fact that they have chosen to be part of the Folkstock family, expectations that the band was following a traditional folk path were high. But, according to the band members, they are "a roguish fusion of alt-folk, roots and country" and that quite neatly sums up the sound they make over the four songs they have selected for their debut release. Of the four songs only one really fits anywhere near into what could be termed traditional folk and that has an Eastern European feel about it. It’s also the least interesting track on offer; ‘Karma’ is actually a solid song, but coming after the strongest two songs on the EP it sounds like the band have taken a step back with this particular track and reverted to what they might think an audience would expect from them. The lead-off song, ‘Drawn In’, is the best song on the EP. Paul O’Halloran’s world-weary vocals convey the frustration he’s experiencing at being let down time and time again. The weeping fiddle compliments the singer’s disappointment, Andrew Bates, sitting on the drum stool is especially impressive on the opening section, and as the banjo seeps through the song feels complete. While the verses immediately capture the listener's attention the song is also blessed with a killer chorus, one of those that you feel you’ve heard a hundred times before while knowing full well that is not the case. O’Halloran’s vocals on the chorus are also really effective and believable. It’s a fine start to the EP and as an introduction to the sound that band and producer are capable of capturing all concerned really couldn’t have chosen a better song or performance. The tempo is raised for the following ‘The Ballad of Mrs. O’. It’s less reflective and more of a sing-along than the previous track, one that no doubt goes down a storm on stage; you can picture the audience participation as the song unfolds. The closing ‘Boat Cuts A Water’ is the longest track on the EP; at nearly six and a half minutes and with the pipes that introduce the track immediately conjuring up images of the sea, it’s the most adventurous and experimental song on offer here. The song twists and turns, although the banjo and other touches place the song within the folk genre the song very nearly ventures into prog-rock at times. Once again O’Halloran’s vocals impress, expressing a kind of controlled passion. As a taster for a hopefully forthcoming album or an example of just how broad this band’s talent and musical vision is this four tracker really couldn’t be better. The Black Guards are certainly worth checking out and are surely one of folk music’s most promising new acts.

Track Listing:-

1 Drawn In
2 The Ballad Of Mrs O
3 Karma
4 Boat Cuts A Water

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/blackguardsmusic/
https://bandcamp.com/theblackguards
https://twitter.com/blackguardsfolk

Label Links:-

http://www.folkstockartsfoundation.com/folkstock-records/
https://twitter.com/Folkstock
https://www.youtube.com/user/Folkstock
https://plus.google.com/108149776288525712118
https://www.facebook.com/folkstockrecords
http://www.folkstockrecords.com/

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