I’ve only ever listened to one folk album, and it’s also the only album my mum has ever bought for me: Cat Stevens’Tea For The Tillerman(thanks Mum!). The April Maze’sSleeping Stormis now my second. So I don’t know much about folk, but I can report that it’s not as good asTea For The Tillerman. Sorry.
But I am a fan of bands of fewer than four members. The April Maze are made of Sivan Agam and Todd Mayhew – between them they share vocals and split cello, guitar and banjo duties. This range of instruments alone lets their folk wander into bluegrass, country and beyond, ensuring a nice variety amongst the album’s 13 songs.
Opener and title track ‘Sleeping Storm’ is a sorrowful get-up, which is immediately contrasted by the determined, upbeat nature of ‘I’ve Seen The Rain’. After that, ‘Scout Hall’ pops on with its banjo-driven melody. However, Sleeping Storm never seems to stick out – there’s no catchy or easily memorable song. The near exception to this is ‘The Bishop Who Ate His Boots’; it is upbeat and sounds distinct from the other tracks, but the liner notes also do announce this song rather loudly.
Not a bad album. Probably one for the Radio National audience, though.
3/5.
Sleeping Stormis out now throughMGM.
