NoLand Folk - Ghosts Light The Scene

NoLand Folk

‘Ghosts Light The Scene’

(Brown Slipper Music)

CLARE based band - and regulars on the local Limerick scene, where some of their line-up have been based - recently released their second album, the follow-up to the well regarded 2007 debut, Never Going Home.

Where that record was a troubadour folk affair, following some changes in line-up, NoLand Folk have produced a much more rounded and deep offering on ‘Ghosts Light The Scene’ - primarily owing to their decision to mix-in the use of electric instruments in this case. This is a diverse offering - a ten-track album that regularly surprises on repeated listens, mixing elements of Nick Cave, the gloom of Tom Waits, torch vocals and delicate orchestration.

The upbeat but subversive Devil for Tea is the most vaudevillian offering on the album, set more in the realm of that more theatrical local band, The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra. The much darker Barefoot and Pregnant, with its weighty tone, shows the depth of this band, “the truth is not great / it is setting you free”, set against the simple tones of a violin and piano accordion, while a subtle electric guitar part builds as the songs grows - the first use of an electric guitar coming halfway through the album.

The jazzy swing of Looking Down The Barrel is in sharp contrast to this, the upbeat tone and sloping vocals reminiscent of something Tarantino might include on one of his soundtracks - it comes as no surprise to learn that it is Mick Harvey’s (of the Bad Seeds) tribute to Serge Gainsbourg. I Wanna See You Dancing is a jaunty, sultry affair with shimmering guitars but it is the titular tracks on this album that are the real highlights.

The album is bookended by the sister tracks of Ghosts Light The Scene - Ghosts End The Scene. The opening track is a dramatic one, complete with haunting violins, read from the pages of Nick Caves’ songbook, and the closing track on the album picks up where that ended. The first minute of the Ghosts Ends the Scene ends as the first began, but soon tapers off into a different song, beginning with just a guitar and vocal and violin - “she used to tug my heart strings with a mournful cello” - and progresses with back and forth male/female vocals, before ending with swelling four part harmonies, before ending suddenly and surprisingly.

Slight production notes aside, you will do well to find a more impressive modern folk album than this releasing in the near future. Keep an eye on this band. We will be.

RATING 4/5

The Belltable Sessions return this Thursday

THE BELLTABLE Sessions returns this Thursday with a strong line-up of local acts, finishing off a superb year for the monthly acoustic gig.
Joining local rockers and headliners Last Days of Death Country are the eclectic local ensemble Noland Folk and guitar slinging troubadour Brian McNamara, formerly of Figment fame.
Last Days.. are not just a band with a great name and Cranberries’ Fergal Lawler helping out on recording duties; no, this band are genuinely worth getting excited about - a rock outfit boasting great melodies and rhythms.
Boasting four Limerick men among their ranks, this quartet offer something rare - they can flit from loud and heavy to soulful and tender in the blink of an eye, or the flick of a wrist from guitarist Dave O’Dowd.
Fellow Last Days men Patrick O’Brien (vocals, guitars), Rob Kelly (drums) and Gary Lysaght (bass) combine to form a tight and cohesive unit that are capable of belting out pulsating and aggressive sleazy-rock, dotted with melodies that are anything but saccharine.
"Moving melodic rock, which will leave you wanting more," is how the band have described themselves, but they would prefer to call it “alternative rock”.
“We are just four guys trying to make music that we enjoy more than anything else,” Patrick explained.
Also playing are Clare/Limerick ensemble Noland Folk, who are set to release their debut album ‘Ghosts Light The Scene’ this week. The predominantly Clare based group are well known in local circles having played here on and off over the last few years, and there rollicking, sea-shanty brand of Irish folk is well worth checking out.
Finally, former Figment frontman Brian McNamara makes a return to the local music scene this Thursday and will be debuting some of his own new material.
The all acoustic Belltable Sessions takes place this Thursday night at 8pm.