FAIN

The WOLF PEOPLE are a band I discovered in the Fall thanks to a thread on the ProgEars site where a couple of videos were posted. This particular album is modern Folk with a psychedelic flavour throughout. Lots of fuzzed out guitars with a vocalist who sings in a reserved manner, and the lyrics are very well done. These guys had to have heard of AMON DUUL II or else it's just a coincidence that the Germans come to mind often during this recording.

"Empty Vessels" is such a feel good tune to start with the guitar playing over top. Vocals join in. A calm around 2 1/2 minutes then it turns heavier. I must admit ANEKDOTEN comes to mind a lot during this track. "All Returns" starts off in a dark mood and builds until it kicks in with guitar out front. A catchy melody follows then it settles right down as the vocals arrive. Fuzzed out guitar 2 minutes in that sounds amazing as the vocals stop. He's ripping it up then it settles back with that catchy melody once again as themes are repeated. Great tune ! "When The Fire Is Dead In The Grate" is passionate a minute in with backing vocals adding to the pleasure. As per usual the tempo and mood shifts throughout this song as well. I love the instrumental break starts at 4 minute mark and continues for almost 2 1/2 minutes to end the song. Another fantastic track. "Athol" is laid back and almost trippy to start. It kicks into another gear a minute in with vocals to follow. Catchy stuff. Very cool lyrics too. It turns dramatic 3 1/2 minutes in and I have to mention the excellent drumming too on this one.

"Hesperus" is another song where the lyrics take us back to a day long ago. The contrasts of the mellow and heavier sections make this one of my favourites on here. Again the backing vocals add so much to the music. Just a pleasure. "Answer" features guitar melodies that sound amazing then it settles in with vocals. Those guitar melodies will come and go as contrasts continue. "Thief" is such a cool story about a thief of high renown who has been captured. Folk music at it's best right here. "NRR" is bombastic to start then it the tempo picks up. Vocals just before a minute as that urgent rhythm continues. The vocals will come and go. This one rocks out pretty good at times.

Not being the biggest fan of Folk music this did take a few spins before I connected with it but now you can count me as one of the pack. Just a great album.

I'm fain to shout from the rooftops: I love this album!!

Normally I flee from the word "folk" quicker than Neil Peart runs from a fan convention but Spotify recommended them to me and I gave the album "Fain" a listen. I'm glad I did because this is a seductive psych tour of the grassy fields and smoky inns of the British Isles in a Volkswagon Camper van.

I always loved the quasi-celtic sounds occasionally thrown into bands like Thin Lizzy and Marillion and this has the gaelic charm in spades. Fuzzed out guitar predominates over the doleful vocals like a modern day Jethro Tull and each song tells a story. There are riffs a plenty and prog fans particularly lovers of 60s pioneers like Cream, Hendrix and Traffic should love every last beat of this. "All Returns", "Answer" and "Empty Vessels" are the standouts for me on a very consistent album.

Give it a chance, I give it 4 stars.