Fate The Juggler
Album: Set In Stone
Label: Talking Elephant
Tracks: 5
Website: http://www.fatethejuggler.com

Folk Rock. Two words that conjure up a multitude of images from Fairport Convention & Steeleye Span through to Oysterband. It is also a label that has been attached to Kent based band Fate The Juggler, but their music is so much more than that. The band's first two albums, The Ghost Of Beauty Lost and One Eye Open drew on influences as diverse as Folk, Pop, Country and Jazz. A third album is due out later this year, but in the meantime the band has released this five track EP to whet our appetite, the first on new label Talking Elephant

As with Fate The Juggler's previous releases, Set In Stone draws on a range of influences with no one particular style dominating.

The track that comes closest to Folk Rock is probably Love Won't Wait, but from the West Coast tinged sound of Walls Come Tumbling Down through to the country influences of Her Auburn Hair and the more ethereal qualities of Lies (You Tell Yourself) and Set In Stone, there isn't a weak link on this release with quality taking precedence over quantity. Having said that, whilst very good, I didn't find the collection of songs on this EP particularly memorable.

If you've not heard Fate The Juggler before, Set In Stone is a useful introduction to their music. Personally, I await the full album with interest.

David Chamberlain