Description:	Digipak CD on Oof
	Format:	CD
	Genre(s):	Folk/Folk Rock
	Label:	Oof
	Price:	£10.79
	Availability:	Sold out / currently unavailable. Sorry!

5
...according to our Phil on 27 November 2008.

Here's the brand new North Sea Radio Orchestra album. I was a massive fan of the last one. I've only heard this new one once so far (it's only just arrived) but it sounds good from what I've heard so far. Brian immediately parped up it sounds a bit like Fairport Convention. I can hear a bit of that in there for sure. There's definitely a massive folk influence throughout the record. It's an enticing mix of classical orchestration, folk and toytown electronics all thrown together to make a thoroughly charming sounding record. The vocals are completely delicious (as they were on the last one) and it's quintessentially (I just had to...) the most English sounding record you'll ever hear. It could be a soundtrack to a long forgotten British cult film classic. It's really good anyway. That much I do know.

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What their label says...

Described as a strange alliance between Benjamin Britten, the Incredible String Band, Sufjan Stevens, Vernon Elliot, water from the Thames and London clay, NSRO have a wholly unique sound - using guitars, strings, woodwind, organs, vibes and voices their music ranges from small folk-like songs through to epic post minimal chamber instrumentals - always shot through with a particularly 'English flavour'. Theirs is a world in which harmony and melody abound. This is not simply the token use of 'classical' instruments to help with ailing arrangements but rather the integral use of wind, strings and percussion within the songs in the truest tradition of chamber music.
'Birds' is a unique album. Song-writing and arrangements of the highest quality combined with great musicianship and the wonderful voice of lead vocalist Sharron Fortnam have resulted in what will be seen as one of the most original and beguiling releases of 2008.