published: 12 /
10 /
2012
Label:
Full Time Hobby
Format: CD
Understated and lo-fi, but multi-layered and original debut album from Cheek Mountain Thief, the project of Tunng’s Mike Lindsay, which was born out and inspired by his love with Iceland
Review
Recorded in, and inspired by, Iceland, ‘Cheek Mountain Thief’ is the debut album from Tunng’s Mike Lindsay. After playing at 2010’s Iceland Airwaves Festival, Lindsay travelled around the country and found himself “in a mythical wonderland.” Lindsay conceived the idea of recording an album in the northern town of Husavik, over which looms Kinnarfjoll – Cheek Mountain – with a band composed of native Icelanders and with equipment borrowed from locals.
Opening track’ Cheek Mountain’ is a contemporary folk song, built around Lindsay’s acoustic guitar, chiming glockenspiel and an almost militaristic drum line, and the track’s charm is enhanced by a warming violin.
The album continues with ‘Showdown’, a staccato acoustic track again superbly complemented by Lara Soley Johansottir’s wandering violin. The track takes a raucous turn around the two minute mark with a snarling refrain before sinking back into the march tempo of the verse.
‘Spirit Fight’ makes superb use of the xylophone, providing pitter-patter droplets of melting snow in a blend of yhe Fleet Foxes and Debussy’s tone poem, reminiscent of Radical Face.
For me, the standout track is ‘There’s a Line’, a curiously charming ghost story with an almost Syd Barrett feel. Lyrically and musically, the track excels, and Lindsay’s arrangement is superbly imaginative.
The walking bass and understated guitar on ‘Attack’ evoke another shade of winter, while the emphatic trumpets and erratic percussion on the opening ‘Snook Pattern’ lead into a charming acoustic number with sleigh bells and glockenspiel again featuring prominently on the backing track.
This is an album born out of love; a love of Iceland, a love affair with a woman, a love affair with the Icelandic way of life. Mostly, though, it seems to me to be an album born out of love for music. Lindsay’s performance is understated yet enthusiastic, while his arrangements are multi-layered and inventive. I really enjoyed this album, and I hope that Mike Lindsay finds a similar muse for his future work.
Track Listing:-
1
Cheek Mountain
2
Showdown
3
Spirit Fight
4
Strain
5
There's A Line
6
Attack
7
Nothing
8
Snook Pattern
9
Wake Him
10
Darkness
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/CheekMountain
http://www.cheekmountainthief.co.uk/
Label Links:-
https://www.youtube.com/user/FullTimeH
http://www.fulltimehobby.co.uk/main/
https://www.facebook.com/FullTimeHobby
https://twitter.com/fulltimehobby
https://plus.google.com/10126594550286