Songs of Green Pheasant - Soft Wounds

This CD is immediately bringing to mind the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (and so by default the modern comparison here would have to be Fleet Foxes). Gently-paced and slickly arranged folk pop with totally smooth harmonies usher us into the collection on opener 'Teen Wolf'. This is really relaxing listen, actually. The way the vocal harmonies swell and recede sounds really natural but no doubt is the product of hours of hard work. Even though there's a certain amount of polish on here the casual grooves still give it an informal, unhurried feel. Many of the songs have a doleful, dusky feel to them that's much more understated than any of the aforementioned bands' work (in fact really it's just that first track that's so reminiscent of them), and as we settle into the record the folk influences become more prevalent. These accessible downbeat stylings bring to mind a stripped back Epic45 a little, or even Hood sans the electronic elements. Pleasant, relaxing and melodic songs with the occasional mournful instrumental interlude. While the tunes are pretty catchy, though, I'm struggling to find an emotional connection here...I can pretty much guarantee it won't offend you, though.