F
or the follow up to their well regarded debut album, This Is Broken Folk, Lunatraktors have looked far and near for a set of traditional songs to bolster this EP, a little taster for the second album due for release in 2021. The first thing that you really notice on playing the EP is the extraordinary voice of Clair le Couteur.
The opener “Black Raven II”, an old Cossack war song reprised form the first album, sounds like Paul Robeson fronting a woodland funeral procession. The voice is deep and stentorian, but calming; and in the background doomy piano, plodding drums and a faint chorus accompany the voice. It is surprisingly catchy as well; I found myself humming it the following day.
To think the same vocalist is delivering the speak-sing outback ballad “16,000 Miles” is remarkable. This track is folkier, but with a minimalist and rather skittish rhythm that suits the dusty travelling tale of a man poorly used, and the use of two voices to differentiate the characters is great. “Unquiet Grave” is a British traditional piece that has a melancholic romance to it, the flute and harmonium lending an outdoor air to proceedings, but with a lovely sinuous bass and drum pattern. The anti-government sensibilities and the duelling vocals are a a delight, as is the final track, a warm and cosy early Christmas present of “The Holly And The Ivy”, this is something that even Grandma would enjoy over the festive season.All in all, Lunatraktors’ Bonefires EP is a varied and well-produced selection. You could do worse than pick a copy of this up and help them to celebrate 186 years since the burning of the Houses of Parliament; if it happened again, you could join them dancing through the ashes.
-Mr Olivetti-
