Whalebone
Album: As Turn The Seasons
Label: Two Wild Women
Tracks: 16
Website: http://whalebone-music.com

I remember reviewing Whalebone's previous album 'Runes' so I was very curious when I received this to see how the two would compare. Could Whalebone top their last album?

Considering their rock influences the first thing that struck me about the album was the very bright and fluffy cover art. I wondered if this album was going to step away from the rock elements and become softer.

That's when I hit play and was instantly hit with the Whalebone we all know and love. A wonderful fast paced blast of guitar and fiddle greeted me on the track 'Into The Wind' and I knew that Whalebone had released another fantastic album. Of course I had to be sure, so I let the album continue as I eagerly sat back and listened.

Needless to say these are talented musical individuals we have here. All of them know their instruments and how to get the very best tunes out of them. This experience and talent is what makes Whalebone such a good instrumental group.

Concern grew again for me when I saw what the next track to come was going to be. 'Raggle Taggle Gypsy' is one of my all time favourite folk tunes and one that I am protective over. So early on we had the make or break tune for me, would they pass this very important test?

I could feel the sweat running down my neck as the tune started to play. I like Whalebone, I wanted them to nail this tune...

They passed with flying colours, to the point where it is actually my favourite version of the tune now. With it being an instrumental version without the lyrics it gives you a chance to really appreciate the actual tune itself and Whalebone added such energy and fire to the tune that it actually gave me goose bumps. My only problem with the tune is that it ended far too quickly, at only 2.27 I found myself disappointed when it finished. Clearly Whalebone have heard the expression 'Always leave them wanting more'.

Whalebone like their diversity, it's not all fast and furious with their tunes, they like to keep things varied with lovely gentle tunes thrown into the mix. I always like it when bands do this, it shows a love of the art, rather than coming up with a some old formula that although works, doesn't allow you to be creative.

If I could describe this album in one world it would have to be 'creative'.

After the slower tunes of 'You and I' and 'Stormlight' which had wonderfully calmed me down, I faced another shock.

The next tune listed was 'John Barleycorn' another of my personal favourites. This one was going to be trickier to judge because I have never heard two versions of this tune that sound the same anyway.

This version also did not disappoint. There is a great infusion of rock styles added that give this track some extra zest.

Whalebone has taken a lot of well know tunes and added their own stamp. Two I was very surprised to see were 'God rest ye Merry gentlemen' and 'Fairytale of New York'. Whalebone does all tunes and creations great justice and really makes it a joy to listen to music.

The Whalebone set up really works, they mix the right amount of elements together to create fantastic music. I simply cannot wait to see what they do next.

Paul Rawcliffe