Slow Wolf
Album: Territories
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 8
Website: http://www.slowwolf.net

Slow Wolf's a London-based Americana outfit whose self-penned songs display a keen awareness of nature, its beauty and its power, and several of the songs depict the struggles endured by humankind (and animals) to survive in the face of nature. Driving Lonely, for instance, brings with its heavy tread the sense of displacement felt by Dust-Bowl-era families in the American Midwest who were forced to leave their land due to drought, while Desert Song evokes the barren landscape and lays bare the despair of man's predicament and The Thread I Sew is a lament voiced by those running out of food as their minds too unravel and (in effect) they just wait around to die.

In contrast, other songs, such as Mountain Under The Sea, portray the beauty of nature, but philosophical contemplation is never far away, as Out Of The Strong and Let It Out both explore the conundrum of existence. Colder Now tells of the plight of Franz Reichelt, designer of one of the first parachutes, who lost his battle with the forces of nature (in this case gravity) when he fell to his death in 1912 after jumping from the Eiffel Tower while testing one of his inventions. These are deep and desperate matters, and are treated with respect - for Slow Wolf ain't one of yer average goodtime Americana bands, no sir.

At the same time, though, you emerge from their music uplifted by their thoughtful musings. The delicate, bright-toned modal tripping of the bonus track I Will Look For You contributes even more to this lasting impression; it's a bit like one of those early Grateful Dead acoustic ramblings that's not quite a song, more like a tryout-cum-minor-jam. The band's distinctive sound (as compared to many Americana bands) has a strong folk-blues feel, which derives, in part at least, from the lead vocal work of lyricist/guitarist Martin Brooks (rather like a pained, almost torn-apart higher-register Jim Morrison at times). Henrik Ekeus (guitar), Duncan Menzies (fiddle), Joe Sherwood (bass) and Pete Grant (drums) make up the rest of the band.

The instrumental playing is deft and well controlled but not understated; there's plenty of presence, and the crew can make an even mightier noise when needed, as on the crashing, pulsing electric climax of Desert Song. On the evidence of Territories, Slow Wolf have much to offer the Americana lover who thrives on exploring the more thought-provoking, yearning side of things and relishes due natural avoidance of the genre's clichés, and I look forward to their next outing..

David Kidman