Cubs - The Whispering Woods

This is the newest release on Galway's Rusted Rail imprint and is a collaboration between members of Phantom Dog Beneath The Moon, United Bible Studies, C Joynes, Plinth, Agitated Radio Pilot, Yawning Chasm amongst others. It flits around on the folky margins, indistinct rural acoustic plucking married with stretched out electronic drones, dreamy zither/dulcimer, violins weeping. Some tracks are charming back porch instrumentals, some with spoken word, some with full on singing. One of those albums that has an incredibly natural feel to it, like a bunch of people setting up and playing just for the hell of it. Often as on the stunning instrumental 'Fortis Green' this adds up to something rather beautiful and heartbreaking. Comparisons could be made to the American cosmic psych folk movement, the likes of Six Organs of Admittance and MV and EE spring to mind. A charming record and with eleven musicians present there is a variety in sound. Sometimes less is more but on occasion more is more. As always with Rusted Rail, beautifully packaged in a fold out, screen printed sleeve.