Little Red
Album: Sticks And Stones
Label: All Will Be Well
Tracks: 9
Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/allwillbewellrecords

At times there is an almost fairy tale feel about "Sticks And Stones", even the title has a slightly childlike quality to it. There is a charming, almost simplistic element to the sound, a couple lightly tripping guitars interweaving combined with a boy(Ian Mitchell), girl(Hayley Bell) vocal attack, often working together in delightful harmony, sometimes two part, sometimes three(With Ben Gosling adding his tones), but it would serve you well to remember that there is darkness at the heart of fairytales and, in the original versions at least, fairytale endings are not all fluffy bunny happy ever after.

On "Sticks And Stones" that is really clearly picked out on "Bonny & Clyde" a song based around the comparatively modern folk legend. Of course that particular trail has been driven before, but I have to say Little Red have taken the metaphor down a really interesting road. It is also one that helps set the musical tone of the album, which falls into that space between acoustic Americana and a more folky feel, with a little punk attitude thrown in for good measure.

There is also a good range in the length of the songs, ranging from less than two minutes to over six, the reason that I mention that is to emphasise the point that many of the tracks continue to resonate around your mind whilst the next track is just starting. It doesn't detract from the beauty of the album, but does provide a slight distraction. In the live environment a bit of banter would provide a gap, on record that's difficult to achieve. It's not meant as a criticism, in many ways it's a complement to the strength of the writing and I would rather have that sort of challenge than having to listen to an album where the previous track can be completely forgotten in the couple of seconds it takes to get into the next one.

Similarly it's quite easy lose yourself in the album, wondering why there is now silence, only to discover that just over half an hour has already passed and the sign off track, "Down" has had its last chord ring out. "Sticks And Stones" is an impressive and well written album, it works well on many levels, with all of the songs on the album having the power to move and demand listening time. Little Red are definitely worth listening time and I can only recommend you take the opportunity.

Neil King