The Mariner's Children
Album: Sycamore (EP)
Label: Broken Sound Music
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.themarinerschildren.com

This seven-piece released a buzz-creating debut EP New Moore Island some time back in 2010, which prompted critics to liken their richly upholstered brand of folk-rock to Arcade Fire and Mumford & Sons; but try as I might, I don't really feel comfortable referencing either - except perhaps the latter on the most obviously rootsy track, Bridges, which clanks along quite companionably at first with banjo and string texturings. Overall, The Mariner's Children make an exhilarating sound, certainly on the evidence of the EP's opener, its title number, which is based around driving acoustic guitar riffing and alternately chopping and swirling violin and cello, with help from extra guitar, banjo, accordion, mandolin, double bass, drums as required. Immense without sounding too thick, and aiding the slightly opaque lyrics, which seem both understated and intense.

The thudding, pounding alternations with introspective sparsity that characterise that title cut make for arguably the most impressive statement, and Wolves Within The Woods is (fittingly) rather scary in a positive way, with disquieting, discomforting vocal harmonies traded betwixt Benedict Rubinstein and Emma Gatrill, the band's principal singers and with an uneasy backdrop to match. In My Bed pounds upfront with a thunderous irregular time-signature but is over almost before you've had time to digest its psychotic ambience. After which, Bridges is something of an enigma, which is reminiscent more of Punch Brothers if anything, but also strangely unnerving in its motoric kaleidoscope of note-patterns. I'll be interested to hear what they come up with on the forthcoming full-length album they plan to release later in the year.

David Kidman