(This review first appeared in issue #65 of Shindig! magazine.)
Mexican
Summer CD / LP
The UK's acid-folk
scene of the late '60s is a well-mined seam of inspiration these
days. In lesser hands there's a danger of style over substance. Not
here. The Philadelphia band's debut may concern itself with Mother
Nature and owe a debt to Pentangle, Vashti, The Incredible String
Band et al but it's no nostalgic trip through the faerie forest. This
is as contemporary a record as they come. With recurring themes of
seasons turning, light and dark, and portentous meteorological
metaphors it chimes with the global mood of the day.
Though not initially
apparent the album tackles today's toxic political climate, using
soft poetic power and delicate acoustic instrumentation. It's nuanced
and made for quiet reflection. For all their tasteful parsimony this
is a band that can also do loud when required. Check out the buried
howls of feedback on 'Darksider's Blues' for evidence of the rock
band that lurks within.
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Click here for Shadow Band on Facebook.
Click here for Shadow Band on Twitter.
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