Galley Beggar
Album: Silence And Tears
Label: Rise Above
Tracks: 8
Website: http://www.galleybeggar.com/wordpress/

A few eyebrows were raised when psych' folk revivalists Galley Beggar signed to Rise Above, home of Doom Metal behemoths Electric Wizard and Cathedral, but the more you listen to third album 'Silence and Tears' the more it becomes obvious what a great fit they are for the label.

Whilst aurally they're a million miles away from their ear-threatening label-mates they certainly share common ground in terms of influence and style. 'Silence and Tears' has all the Fairport/Pentangle worship of their first two records but the band has now thrown some serious acid-rock vibes into the pot. Just listen to 'Pay My Body Home' for some of the most wigged out riffery and folk rock in years. Many have tried to re-create the sound of the late 60's and many have failed. Galley Beggar, however, have nailed it time and time again with a sound that is more polite reverence than out and out rip-off.

'Jack Orion' is a cracking ensemble folk rock stomper with more than a passing whiff of early Steeleye Span about it that will go down a storm mid-afternoon at many a festival this summer. Conversely the mournful 'Geordie' has all the lyrical hallmarks of a classic ballad but rides along on a tune so authentically retro that you might well think it had been kept in a vault for 45 years. Either that or Galley Beggar are timelords!

If I were to be really picky I could say that at times the songs meander when they should have a wee more impact but perhaps I'm missing the point and I've listened to 'Unhalfbricking' and 'Basket Of Light' too many times in the past.

We've had a dearth of bands that've been guilty of pastiche and blatant ignorance of the folk movement during this so-called revival of the past few years. Galley Beggar are about as far removed from that as they could possibly be. 'Silence and Tears' is a fantastic album and Galley Beggar are without a doubt the real deal!

Rob Fearnley