Whispering Pines - The Whispering Pines

by Malcolm Carter

published: 31 / 3 / 2012

Label: Stovepony Records
Format: CD

Outstandiing Americana on debut album from the Whispering Pines, the side project of Lucky Strikes and Duke and the King member Matthew Boulter

Review

Recorded over the past two years between his duties in Southend–on-Sea’s the Lucky Strikes and his stint playing lap-steel live for The Duke And The King, multi-instrumentalist Matthew Boulter releases his first album under the Whispering Pines moniker. Helped out by his Lucky Strikes band mates and other local musicians, Boulter presents us with thirteen laid-back, appealing songs that take no time at all to worm their way into your brain. Given his past musical activities and his time with the Duke And The King and Simone Felice it’s no surprise that ‘Whispering Pines’ has its roots firmly in Americana soil. It’s all been done before of course, but that’s no reason to dismiss the Whispering Pines as just another Americana band. Judging by the songs on this debut the Whispering Pines are a force to be reckoned with. We can only presume that the thirteen songs are Matthew Boulter originals as none, despite their instant appeal, readily come to mind as being cover,s but they are so steeped in the classic country/folk idiom and sound so authentic that it would come as no surprise if some of these songs have been around for years, lying forgotten until Boulter decided to breath new life into them. Boulter plays a variety of instruments throughout the album, including guitars, dulcimer, banjo and pedal steel but despite his expertise on each of these instruments perhaps it’s his vocals that will win most listeners over. Boulter sounds world-weary, almost on the point of giving up, especially on tracks such as ‘Two Bullets’ and it’s his voice along with sublime harmonies from Oli and Lucy Howard and Owen Williams that take these songs from being merely good to being exceptional. Self produced by Boulter, which displays not only his love of this genre but also his understanding of what makes a good song great he doesn’t put a foot wrong over the duration of the album. ‘Tired Sleep’ in which Boulter uses a variety of instruments including pedal steel to flesh out the sound is a particularly pretty tune with Boulter’s vocals sounding like he is likely to fall to sleep at any moment, but it’s those little musical touches, those sounds weaving in and out of the song that hold the attention, and when it’s over leave you with the impression that you’ve just listened to something of rare beauty. It’s all in there somewhere, scattered throughout these thirteen songs, you’ll hear everyone who has touched on Americana, there’s traces of Dylan and The Band of course all wrapped up in Boulter’s appealing melodies and captivating vocals. ‘The Gun’ is another song where Boulter’s yearning vocals demand your time, as the tale unfolds you’re drawn into the world he’s singing about. Matthew Boulter has produced what many will hail as Americana album of the year come the close of 2012, such is the quality of these songs it’s highly unlikely that any other artist will match them in the next nine months. At 38 minutes it’s just the right length. It leaves you wanting more and that’s how it should be. As a side project Matthew Boulter has left his main band the Lucky Strikes in a difficult position for their fourth album due later this year. It’s going to have to really be something to top this collection.

Track Listing:-

1 Come The Morning
2 Two Bullets
3 Curse You, John
4 Tired Sleep
5 Phantom Pain
6 Blue morning
7 Enos Flew
8 The Branches!
9 Waiting On You
10 The Gun
11 The Poetry Society
12 Verdigris
13 Gold Ring