Elly Roberts reviews
M.Craft: Silver And Fire
Distributed by
679 Recordings
- Released: May 2006
- Rating: 8/10
London-based Aussie Martin Craft
releases his second album following his successful support slot with the Magic
Numbers.
Occasionally compared to American dream-folkie Sufjan Stevens (found on a
banjo lead I Got Nobody Waiting For Me) this melody-driven beauty is
the kind of '60s folk gem that has re-surfaced. There’s no doubt that Craft
is one of the finest songwriters of his generation.
He’s pretty useful with the instruments too, playing everything except drums.
There’s a strikingly warm familiarity about the whole album, one you could
take anywhere and it would be appreciated. It’s as if you heard it all
before, somewhere in the past, but it does have 21st century twists.
A hippy title track with fluttering flute dancing in shadows is a wonderful
reminder of past-times, from the flower –power era.
Bossa nova and Serge Gainsbourg seem to have strongly influenced track 8,
Snowbird and track 2, Emily Snow a shifting lightweight delight,
complete with '60s sounding backups. Picking up the meticulous pace, the
single You Are The Music, a meaty Fleetwood Mac baseline and Modjo
(Lady Hear Me Tonight) riff gets the feet moving, as does a chunky
Lucille.
Dragonfly, a floaty acoustic ballad, almost burst into flames, only to
peter out on stumbling limp. A Fleetwood Mac-styled Soldier takes us
towards a delightful close, another acoustic wanderer Teardrop Tattoo.
Throughout, Craft’s gentle hushed voice lacks any kind of distinctiveness,
but is more than fitting for this retro-influenced revival.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
