Cardboard Fox
Album: Cardboard Fox EP
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.cardboardfox.co.uk

Cardboard Fox brings together the Carrivick Sisters with long-time associate Bassist (and banjoist - though not on this outing) John Breese plus the formidable talents of award winning young mandolinist Joe Tozer. Stylistically the four have bluegrass and folk roots aplenty. This collection sits closer to the folk end of this spectrum. They have provided, in this eponymous debut EP, a great little calling card for those who want to see what these guys are getting up to, and a taste of where they might be heading.

These are four great musicians. But more than their individual skills it is their arranging and composing that is being showcased to best effect here.

Three of the four songs are group compositions. Each is a vehicle for an array of carefully crafted textures; often built on rich harmonic foundations. The opening number 'Ego' - after a couple of verses - takes us on an instrumental nostalgia trip before returning to the slightly bitter theme, based on a lyric that tells of a break up with one who is 'never alone, when you've got your ego..'. The bridge of track two - 'Green Skin' (which seems to be about the trials and tribulations of the Wicked Witch of the West) detours effectively, supporting a different tack in the lyric, before cleverly bringing us back to the opening tune. There are flashes of great 'chops' too; more than once we are treated to short roller coaster rides of scale runs weaving through the band.

The overall sound is full of freshness and light. For this reviewer though, a few more lonesome, soulful moments would have been welcome. At times too the lead vocal melodies feel a little under-developed. No doubt they will grow as the band take these songs on the road.

Song three is the slowest of the four. Balloon, penned by Charlotte Carrivick alone, takes a more standard route in construction and arrangement, but is no less effective for it, and again is lifted by the bridge, featuring weaving mandolin and fiddle lines, and all based on lovely guitar work.

The final song, Someone Else's Shoes, with lyrics by Joe but otherwise a band composition, brings back the rich arranging and varying textures approach of the first two songs, and again features a great instrumental break, led by Laura's fine fiddle.

This collection suggests a band with great creative powers. The almost 'prog-folk' instrumental writing is muscular, the lyrics demand the listeners attention. Across the four songs Laura and Charlotte take opportunities to join voices in rich sisterly harmony. Cardboard Fox deserve a full roster of dates to give this material the opportunity to live and breathe in front of no-doubt appreciative audiences.

Julian Dean