Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit - Ode to a Mare Trod Ditch 7"

There is something about a band playing acoustic instruments, recorded live that I think we forget: that's how music for most of history was made. The blending of instruments being played in the same room together. There's something inherently authentic about it. They start with one leg up. Banjo, violin, accordion, trumpet...a far away snare. These are modern folk songs, drinking songs....probably heard best live. Young & Lost Club records is trying it's best to capture these performances on the 'Ode to a Mare Trod Ditch' single.
'Eyeless in Holloway' , builds and builds to an almost out of control chaos the likes of neutral milk hotel but gets back on track, maybe a little weary of derailing. Instead Johnny goes a capella and waits for the band to come in piece by piece to finish this barn burner.
'Oh to eat an apple', relies on some serious layered banjo licks and launches into storytelling mode firmly placing this in traditional folk. The problem is this sounds like a lot of competent bands who enjoy making music and maybe are trying to take it to the next level. It's too easy to write this off as another folksy revival. There are moments of straying from this heavily trodden path, but they are few and far between.

Jason Dean

www.index7.co.uk